BATAVIA - After Sept. 11, Megan McDonough was pleased to see the outpouring of support nationwide for those who had lost family and loved ones.

        But as fighting increased in Afghanistan, 10-year-old Megan worried about how the carnage and destruction might affect children there. She wanted to do something to help. But what?

        As her birthday approached, Megan found her answer: a party to benefit the children of Afghanistan.

        Megan, daughter of Karen and Dave McDonough of Batavia, had been looking forward to her 10th birthday - a special day, when she would be allowed to have her first big party.

        The idea of a charitable theme for the party began forming months earlier, as she and her mother discussed party plans while cleaning her room. Megan mentioned how she had so many neat things, and would probably get more for her birthday.

        She still had plenty, even after donating some to an area organization. So she asked her mom about donating her birthday gifts to needy children.

        “She kept asking about Afghanistan, about the children,” Mrs. McDonough said. “She really kept up on the news. She worried that if we went looking for Bin Laden, children would be hurt 1/2hellip 3/4 and worried about the poverty there. She kept asking "can't we do something?' Then she suggested using her party to do something to help children of Afghanistan.”

        She planned her June party pretty much by herself. She asked guests to bring no gifts, but to bring the money they would have spent on gifts. Someone pointed out that she would have no presents for her special birthday.

        “That doesn't matter, I have everything I need,” Megan said. The local YMCA donated a room for the party. Megan's guests donated $225, which was sent to the Afghanistan Children's Fund.

        Those who know Megan were not surprised by the act of kindness. That's her trademark. She won a citizenship award at school last year, as the one who befriends the underdog and defends classmates who get picked on.

        “She's just so nice. She's kind and helpful to everyone, even the most obnoxious child,” said Carol Barger, her teacher last year at Batavia. “She was always looked at as a leader. She's an extraordinary child, one of a kind - wise beyond her years.”

        Mrs. McDonough said Megan volunteers a few times a month at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, a no-kill shelter. Shealso enjoys visiting people in a nearby nursing home.

        Megan said after 9-11 she felt heartbroken about the loss to this country.

        “And I worried about the children of Afghanistan with the war there, plus they're living in such poverty,” she said. “We're so lucky to have all the freedoms and the many things we enjoy. I was so excited about having my 10th birthday party. But I just decided I wanted to give up getting presents to help the children of Afghanistan.

        “I have learned that when you give up things, sometimes you get much more back,” she said.

        Do you know a Hometown Hero ... someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzelsiscom.net or fax 513-755-4150.

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