The old adage states that it

is better to give than to receive. Cc Robinson, a 17-year-old Peachtree

City resident, agrees.

Robinson began volunteering

on Sundays this past summer at Hope House, a place that provides respite

care for children suffering from progressive life-threatening illnesses

and severe disabilities. The program provides temporary relief for families

and caregivers and helps people from all over the metro Atlanta area.

Robinson plays games with the kids or reads books and watches movies with

them.

It is a time where the children's

parents can get a few hours rest from the near-24-hour care their children

need and it is also a time for the children to be with other children

and meet new people, like Robinson, who took to the volunteering immediately.

"I love it," she

said. "Most of the time I am there, the weather is beautiful. So

we go out to the handicap-accessible playground and enjoy the swings and

the good weather."

As Robinson's 17th birthday

approached, her mother planted an idea about donating money to Hope House

as her birthday gift. Robinson loved the idea and she and her mother began

making fliers and talking with friends, family members and co-workers

about making a donation. Robinson's goal was to raise $1,700 but

when the Hope House and Southwest Christian Hospice's fall festival

arrived, Robinson had raised $3,000. Perhaps the most surprising donation

was made by Robinson's great aunt, a woman she had never met, at

a family reunion.

"She asked me what my

future plans were and what I was doing these days," Robinson said.

"When I told her I wanted to go to Emory University and become a

pediatrician and that I was raising money for Hope House, she wrote a

check for $1,000."

Robinson found that lots of

people wanted to contribute to such a worthy cause. In fact, another $350

has poured in since she made her donation. When Robinson is not volunteering

at Hope House, she is working hard in her gifted classes in school, working

at Outback Steakhouse and taking part in a number of clubs in school,

including Beta Club and Spanish Club among others.

"Most kids have things

they want and I do too," said Robinson. "I want things like

a sound system for my car. But I also wanted to do something for others

and I'm very glad I did."

If you are interested in making

a donation of time or money to Hope House or would like more information,

phone 770-969-8354 or visit www.swchospice.org.