SANDPOINT - It's unusual to find someone as young Kiya Kraushaar who has already found their calling, but the precocious 9-year-old is already working to advance her passion. It's fundraising for, among other things, cancer support, and she's determined to bring others into the fold.

The young philanthropist's efforts came to light during a December open house at Sandpoint's Community Cancer Services office, where Kiya surprised everyone by donating $41.05, money she had earned and raised herself.

The third-grader at Farmin Stidwell Elementary was partly inspired to raise funds after watching her great aunt, Kristy Pierce of Bonners Ferry, go through cancer treatment. Like many cancer patients, Pierce lost her hair during the journey.

"It was a real eye-opener for her," Kiya's mother, Steffanie Wilson, said.

But that was three years ago. Why donate now?

"I feel like I want to help the world, but I also want other people to do it too," Kiya said during a Jan. 22 interview at CCS, during which she brought in another $7.70. "One day I just sat down and thought, how can I help the world? And just I thought of this."

"I think it's amazing," Wilson said proudly of her daughter's efforts. "She has a very large heart. She's just very caring of others."

Community Cancer Services is a local, community-funded, nonprofit cancer resource center that provides support to local cancer patients, families, and caretakers. It helped Pierce during her treatment. It seemed a natural place to make a monetary donation for Kiya. But she has also gone beyond monetary donations.

Wilson noted her daughter has also donated her long, shiny, brunette hair, cutting off 10 inches not just once, but twice.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to do it," she said, when asked if she would cut it again. "I decided I'm going to do it for the rest of my life."

Kiya's efforts are beginning to gain speed. She has been working on branding by creating an informal organization called the "One Cent Cancer Club." Donations are made to a jar currently located at her grandmother's Ugg boot shoe store, Snow River, in downtown Sandpoint. So far she has two charter club members: her mother and grandmother - but she's actively recruiting.

Kiya keeps close tabs on member donations, and uses toy "jewels" as gentle reminders if a member forgets to donate. She uses the jewels, she said, as she prefers to avoid making people feel guilty about a missed donation.

To further her cause, Kiya has plans to speak to her principal, Jacque Johnson, about the possibility of speaking to her entire school about getting out and helping others. She hasn't actually discussed her speaking proposal with her principal, but is "planning to do it soon." During recess, of course, she said.

"I actually already have my speech planned," she said, noting she isn't nervous about speaking in public due to her experience acting and singing in school plays.

The youngster's efforts are not only focused on cancer, however. Kiya has also donated to the local food bank and the animal shelter, Wilson said.

Where does the young Kiya Kraushaar get her sense of mission?

Wilson was hard-pressed to find an answer. "She just came up with it one day," she said.

Anyone wishing to donate can find the Once Cent Cancer Club donation jar at the Snow River store at 102 Cedar St. in Sandpoint. For more information call (208) 263-4472.

Community Cancer Services

• Founded in 2002 and community funded, Community Cancer Services provides education and direct support to local cancer patients, families and their caregivers in Bonner and Boundary counties. It offers a wide range of financial support, medical equipment, counseling, nutritional products and a library of related materials.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact CCS at (208) 255-2301 or visit its website at www.communitycancerservices.org.