Sweet 16: girls donate $ in lieu of gifts

Two Mountain Home High School students juniors, Jennifer Lewis and Hillary Dicks, showed the true spirit of giving during their Sweet 16 birthday parties. Instead of presents, they asked that everyone who attended the party donate $2-$5 for the American Cancer Society.

The girls got the idea from friends who at their Sweet 16 party asked for money or food donations for charity.

Lewis and Dicks chose the American Cancer Society because they both wanted to put money toward a good cause and felt that the American Cancer Society was a worthwhile organization. Also, the charity has special meaning to both students, as Lewis and Dicks both have had family members stricken with cancer. Lewis has also been a member of the American Cancer Society since 2005.

The party, an affair that was funded by both Lewis and Dicks, was a huge success, according to the girls. The guests enjoyed the bonfire and r"ocked all night long" to music on mixed CDs.

In total, the girls received $98.88 in donations and after adding some of their own money, the girls donated $120 to the Cancer Society.

"It was such a good turnout and I was surprised at the number of people who donated," said Lewis.

"I was glad to be a part of something that benefited the American Cancer Society," said Dicks.