The Jessie Rees Foundation held an event today to raise money for kids who have cancer and their families. 

Local volunteers pitched in to make a total of 525 'joy jars', filled with toys and other goodies that will go directly to kids fighting cancer in Florida. 

The event today is part of a fundraising effort started by a student at Reno High School who says he first heard of the organization four years ago, and was inspired to work with them after meeting a cancer survivor. 

Hayden Parga said, "it honestly inspired me to want to serve others as well, because it moved my heart in this posture of... what can I do for others? What can I do that's bigger than myself?"

Hayden has raised over $15,000 for the Jessie Rees Foundation in the last year. 

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