BLOOMINGDALE - When he was just 6 years old, Hayden Christoff volunteered to clean his great-grandmother's house once a week. Four years later, he has the sense of helping others firmly engrained in his life.

In the past year alone, Christoff, a 10-year old fifth-grader at Wintersville Elementary School, has logged more than 50 volunteer hours with the American Red Cross Jefferson County Chapter.

For his efforts, Christoff has been selected as a 2009 Herald-Star Community Star and will be honored among other Community Stars during a dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday at Froehlich's Classic Corner in Steubenville.

The youngster's work with the Red Cross has been highly influenced by his aunt, Janet Carr, who is a volunteer with the local chapter.

In logging his volunteer hours, Christoff has participated in a variety of activities with the organization. One activity was a mock disaster event.

"It was a fake disaster and we had to get food and refreshments prepared and deliver them to people affected by the disaster," he said.

He also provided assistance when the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall visited Jefferson County in 2008. The wall was on display at the county airport.

"I helped move the wall around and served refreshments to the visitors," he explained. "I also worked on the computer to help visitors search for specific names and make them easier to find."

Christoff tries to attend blood drives and played a big role during the local Red Cross chapter's move from downtown Steubenville to Wintersville.

"When we moved the office, I helped carry boxes, paint the walls and hang pictures," he noted.

During March of this year, which just happened to be Red Cross Month, the youngster decided he wanted to do something special to benefit the organization. His idea: Plan and organize a penny drive at this school.

According to Kelly Christoff, his mother, Hayden explained the idea to Wintersville Elementary School Principal Toni Dondzilla and she endorsed his plan. The only rule Dondzilla put in place was that Hayden would have to do his collecting during recess hours.

"So, every Wednesday he would skip recess and go around to each classroom to collect spare change," his mother explained.

For most children, that would be a big deal, but Hayden didn't mind at all.

"I didn't mind skipping my recess one day a week, knowing that I was doing a good deed," he said. "I plan on doing it again this year."

He also helped his 6-year-old sister raise money for her Snow Princess contest, offered to cut grass for neighbors and was very active in planning a shower for the Red Cross.

"The Red Cross kitchen shower was one of my favorite activities because I got to have fun as well as help the Red Cross receive some new items," he said. "It was sort of like a house warming party for the new location."

As if volunteering doesn't take up enough of his time, he also finds time to participate in flag football as well as being a member of the pit crew for his grandpa, Bill Yocum, at Steel Valley raceway.

His aunt, Lynne Donohue, who nominated Christoff for the award, described her nephew as a special kid.

"He always lends a hand, not because he is looking for anything in return, but because he likes to help," she said.

And when asked why he likes to volunteer, Christoff responded with the same answer.

"I like knowing that I can help someone out," he said. "It just makes me feel good."

(Looman can be contacted via e-mail at jlooman@heraldstaronline.com)