"Be! The! Change!"
Those three words amount to a lot.
During a school-wide assembly on Friday, May 15th, 2015, students at Riverdale Heights Elementary School found out they collected more than $3,000 in change - and counting - for Alex's Lemonade Stand, a nationwide foundation that raises money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes.
Blake Anderson, a 5th grader, organized the fundraiser. His older sister, Katie, passed away from brain cancer more than seven years ago. He says he wanted to help other families like his.
"[Alex's Lemonade Stand] puts the money that they get donated to them into cancer research," Blake explained. "You gotta do things that help your community."
"I'm so proud of Blake for having an idea, bringing it to our attention, and sticking with it," said Christina Anderson, Blake's mom. "I don't think he realizes what a big deal he's caused."
"Find something you're passionate about, take what you know, and use it as your strength to give back," she added.
Blake is also growing out his hair to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. It wasn't long enough to cut today, but he says he's hoping to chop it all off sometime this summer.
Gilda's Club Quad Cities also helped organize today's assembly.
Blake and Christina were also recipients of WQAD's Pay It Forward Program, sponsored by Ascentra Credit Union. To see that story, click here.