• 1:44 p.m.
ET Eight-year-old Ally Yellets of Avon Lake is giving Smiles for Sophie Forever a good reason to smile. It began last school year with a flier Avon Lake schools sent to students announcing the first Birthday Bash and Dash, a 5K run and 1-mile walk in memory of 4-year-old Sophie Quayle. “The flier came home, and it pretty much gripped her heart,” said Robin Holmes, Ally’s mother. Since then, Ally has raised more than $700 for Smiles for Sophie Forever. She even convinced her parents to make her birthday party a fundraising event for the organization. Its primary fundraising event is the Birthday Bash and Dash, an annual race on July 4, Sophie’s birthday, in Avon Lake. Ally, who is as interested in sports as she is philanthropy, said she knew immediately she wanted to run the race and raise as much money as she could. She came up with $400. Not stopping there, Ally wanted her birthday party guests to honor Sophie and support the organization rather than give her gifts.
“Instead of getting presents, I wanted to raise money for Smiles for Sophie,” Ally said.