Kids organize charity to help needy children

They give $10,000 to hospital

KYE-YAC International founder Kye Masino (left) reacts as American Idol winner Kris Allen (right) is acknowledged by Gov. Mike Beebe and others attending a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Arkansas Children's Hospital. KYE-YAC International donated $10,000 to the hospital.
KYE-YAC International founder Kye Masino (left) reacts as American Idol winner Kris Allen (right) is acknowledged by Gov. Mike Beebe and others attending a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Arkansas Children's Hospital. KYE-YAC International donated $10,000 to the hospital.

— Hot Springs resident Kye Masino first got the idea to start his own charity when he was 10, after his fourth-grade class held a fundraiser for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He thought he could raise more money for worthy causes by asking children to donate coins from their piggy banks.

His plan worked. Now 11, Kye’s nonprofit foundation KYE-YAC International Inc., presented a $10,000 check Tuesday to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Gov. Mike Beebe and 2009 American Idol winner and Conway native Kris Allen were among those there to help celebrate.

“This is a big deal. It’s inspiring,” Allen said. “These kids have done more than I have in my life.”

Kye and his best friend Peyton Rudisill, 12, founded KYE-YAC International in February. The group’s name - pronounced like kayak - combines Kye’s name with YAC for Youth Advisory Council. It has a theme of “kids helping kids.”

They plan to choose a different cause to raise money each year, Kye said.

“I have always been around giving people - my family and my grandma [Nancy Jane Masino] was just a great inspiration to me,” he said.

Peyton said she and Kye met when she was 4 years old and he was 3.

“We have been great friends since then,” she said.

So when he called her one day after school asking if she’d help him create the charity, she didn’t think twice. She now serves as the group’s vice president, and Kye is president.

“I thought it was the most amazing idea,” Peyton said. “I always wanted to help kids too. It depresses me when I see kids that are sad or can’t afford much, or they’re sick and they can’t do what every other kids can do - like sports and stuff.Helping them makes me feel good.”

Kye and Peyton said they’ve had a lot of help. They work with the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation. Also, Kye’s mother, Melanie Masino, and KYE-YAC’s secretary, Dorothy Morris of Hot Springs, both have their own nonprofit charities.

At Tuesday’s event, Kye thanked the many people who have donated time and help along the way.

“No one’s life is perfect. I learned at a young age that you can make your own happiness,” he said. “But for some kids it’s not so easy.

“I believe all kids deserve the chance to thrive in life.”

At Tuesday’s event, Beebe praised Kye and Peyton for their hard work. He said they “represent the best of our young people” and set a positive example for others.

The money will go to Arkansas Children’s Child Life and Education department, which sponsors the hospital’s main playroom, called Camp Wannaplay.

“All I have to say is I’m glad neither of them are old enough to run for governor,” Beebe joked. “If you think about what they’ve done, it’s really, really phenomenal.”

Dr. Jonathan Bates, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer, said the group’s work is a “tribute to the generosity of Arkansans.”

“These two in particular are not yet teenagers,” Bates said. “I think if all of us work thathard at something, who knows what might happen.”

Melanie Masino said she was proud of her son and all he and Peyton have accomplished. She said Kye’s always wanted to help others, and so she wasn’t surprised when he came to her after the school fundraiser last year with the idea of forming KYE-YAC.

“He came to me and said ‘Mom, there’s much more to do,’” she said.

Wearing sneakers, skinny jeans, an army-green jacket and showing signs of an early beard, Allen stood to the side with his hands in his pockets and didn’t speak throughout most of the news conference. Beforehand, he visited patients and performed “The Christmas Song” for an audience of about 30 children.

In an interview afterward, he said it wasn’t his first visit to Arkansas Children’s. He was a patient there when he was 13.

“I ruptured my spleen really bad when I was a kid,” Allen said. “I was here for weeks. So I know they take care of people.”

Allen said he was glad to meet Kye and Peyton and help bring a little happiness to some of the hospital’s patients.

“Anytime you can make people smile, it’s a good feeling,” he said.

KYE-YAC’s Web site is kyeyac.org.

Arkansas, Pages 14 on 12/30/2009

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