Amazing Kids! is proud to highlight the Amazing Kids! of the Month!

Each month, we showcase kids who are accomplishing amazing things.  We hope that by telling their special stories, we will inspire other kids to accomplish their own amazing achievements. 

Anthony Leanna, age 11, founder of Heavenly Hats

“All I wanted to do was put a smile on the faces of people who were going through a really hard time in their life...

"I want other kids to know that they can make a difference by just doing something kind for someone.  You do not have to be an adult to do something nice."

Happy New Year from Amazing Kids! 

We hope your holidays were filled with fun, family, friends and the warm spirit of the season! Wouldn't it be great to extend the wonderful spirit of giving that the holidays bring throughout the New Year?  This month, Amazing Kids! proudly features a story about a boy who intends to do just that, amazing 11 year old Anthony Leanna, our January 2003 Amazing Kid! of the Month.

Read Anthony's story below about his generous acts of caring and compassion and find out how one person really can make a difference in the lives of others.  Who knows?  Maybe you'll be inspired to rekindle the spirit of giving of the holidays throughout the coming year with your own special deeds of kindness and compassion.

And don't forget, if you, or a young person you know, has an amazing project you are involved in, or a special skill, talent or ability you want to tell the world about, be sure to let Amazing Kids! know about it!  Simply complete a nomination form for an Amazing Kid! of the Month award, or email us!

Table of Contents 

The Story Behind Heavenly Hats
In His Own Words:  Amazing Anthony Tells His Story
Related Links

Amazing Anthony's 6th grade portrait

Last year, when Anthony Leanna was 10 years old, found himself spending a lot of time in local hospitals because his grandmother was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. He became concerned when he discovered that a lot of the patients in the hospitals had lost their hair from the chemotherapy treatments they received. 

Anthony decided he wanted to find a way to help them, so according to his mother, Mrs. Leanna, he "started asking a lot of questions." A few months later he sat down at his computer and came up with the idea for a community service program called "Heavenly Hats." The program collects brand-new hats for cancer patients who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments.

Anthony immediately got to work making posters and went to different businesses in Suamico, Wisconsin where he lives, asking if he could put out boxes to collect brand-new hats. He also called and emailed hundreds of businesses all over the world asking for hat donations. Then, Mrs. Leanna says, "things just started to happen."  Amazingly, Anthony's program has received over 6,000 brand-new hats to date from as far away as Australia!  He has been able to deliver and send the hats to more than 50 hospitals and clinics across the United States!

Anthony personally bags each of the hats individually and then separates and boxes them according to the hospital or clinic he is sending them to. For example, if he is sending them to a children's hospital, he only sends them hats that would fit younger people.
 

A smiling Heavenly Hat recipient

Because of his amazing efforts, over the past year Anthony has been receiving much well-deserved recognition. For example, he has received a regional scholarship from the Kohl's Cares For Kids Program, a President's Student Service Award for his volunteerism, and he was recently named the United States Points of Light winner for December 25th of 2002!  Anthony is also featured on page 49 of a new book written by Connie Payton (widowed wife of the great NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton) called Stronger Than Cancer, which was released in November of 2002.
 

Another smiling owner of a Heavenly Hat

All of Anthony's work has been very gratifying for him and it means even more to him today then the day he decided to start the program. In September of 2002 Anthony's dad Glen, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He under went a successful surgery in October of 2002 and is doing well.
Anthony made sure that he gave him an "awesome dad" hat from his donations.

"When I started Heavenly Hats, I had no idea that it would turn out to be such a successful program. All I wanted to do is to put a smile on the faces of people who were going through a really hard time in their life. After delivering many hats to patients, I think my program has been able to
do that for a lot of patients. I wanted them to be able to pick out a brand new hat right in the hospital so that if they did not feel all that well when they went home they would not have to worry about going out to a store to buy one. Being able to make their life a little bit easier really makes me feel good inside. I want other kids to know that they can make a difference by just doing something kind for someone. You do not have to be an adult to do something nice. 

"I am trying to help as many people as I can and right now the demand for hats from hospitals is starting to be more that the supply of new hats that I am receiving. I am especially in need of
women's and children's hats and bandanas. If anyone is interested in donating brand-new hats they can contact me at: deeleanna@new.rr.com.

"Thank you to everyone who has made my program such a success."

Amazing Kids! wishes you much success, Anthony!  You are doing a great service for a lot of people!  You're simply amazing!

RELATED LINKS:

To make a donation of brand-new hats for the Heavenly Hats program, email Anthony for more information at: deeleanna@new.rr.com.

Kohl's Cares For Kids Program -  Make a purchase from the Kohl's Cares for Kids Shop online and all proceeds will benefit local children's hospitals in your community.

Stronger Than Cancer, a new book written by Connie Payton (widowed wife of the great NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton).  A portion of book proceeds will support Walter Payton Cancer Fund research.

American Cancer Society