LAUNCH strong Will

Will Morgan’s shy smile and polite, softspoken commentary belies his near-celebrity status. Since learning last year that he had Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, the Merriman Park Elementary seventh grader has received an outpouring of support from the Lake Highlands neighborhood, mom Renee Long says. “We really want to thank the community. When Will was diagnosed, we asked for prayers when I started seeing all the people rallying around us, I knew that Christ was at work and that we could use this to share his message.” Merriman Park Elementary, the Forest Meadow Junior High Football Team, the Lake Highlands High School Football team and the Spring Valley Athletic Association, where Will once played football, have all shown their support by wearing “Will to Win” stickers and T-shirts designed by Keith Beasley, father of Will’s friend Braden Beasley. Will received cards, video tributes (a nice one from MPE principal Laurie Taylor) and posters, several made during a girls’ slumber party. Parents of classmates often showed up with dinners or books needed for lessons.

Last November, Will joined the LHHS football team as an honorary captain, and in May, “Team Will”, comprised of 60-some friends and family members, raised more than $16,000 for the DFW CureSearch Walk benefiting pediatric cancer research. This summer, Will is finished with chemotherapy and things are starting to get back to normal, his stepdad Sam Long says. He will need to return to Medical City for checkups and at least one more surgical procedure. Will doesn’t seem to fear future hospital visits, noting that Medical City recently remodeled the pediatric wing. Rather than feeling down about his health struggles, Will views his experience as a chance to help other kids like him, he says. “Helping other people makes me feel good.”

—CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

The Store In Lake Highlands

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PETPAUSE good as gold

Two-year-old golden retriever, GUS , preps for an afternoon snooze in the shady back doorway of his Lake Highlands home while his human mom MALORIE KELLY visits with friends on the patio.

Design

WHAT GIVES?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for neighborhood nonprofits

THIS MONTH, BUY A T-SHIRT because it’s time to gear up for football season. Order your LH “Red Out” T-shirt today to wear at the Oct. 15 game against Berkner High School. Send a $10 check payable to LH Varsity Cheer, to 6833 Sedgwick Dr., Dallas, TX 75231. Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and size for each order. You may also email a T-shirt order form to barb.bryant10@ yahoo.com. LHHS Cheer will also sell the shirts during schedule pickup days (TBA) at Forest Meadow Lake Highlands Junior High Schools, Lake Highlands Freshman Center and LHHS. “Proceeds will be used to fund the costs of competing in a national cheerleader competition, but as is tradition, a portion will be given back to a local Lake Highlands charity,” LHHS Cheerleading representative Lori Burgin says.

NOMINATE A CHARITY for recognition at local running events. The Dallas Running Club has announced a new program to help local charities raise awareness. The running club will select a different non-profit organization to feature each month, organizers say. Featured charities will be given a booth and may choose to sponsor a water station at a DRC racing event, held the first Saturday of each month. All monthly, featured charities will then be invited to set up a booth at the largest race of the year, The DRCHalf Marathon in November. Each nonprofit will be asked to provide five to 10 volunteers for the race. Contact jason@dallasrunningclub. com if you would like to nominate a charity, and visit dallasrunningclub.com for more information.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@ advocatemag.com.

08.01.10-08.30.10