When 7-year-old Bryce Smithlin lost his friend and neighbor Floyd Orum to cancer, he sprang into action to fight back.

Standing in front of his home with a sign calling for donations in Floyd’s memory to be donated to Relay For Life.

Smithlin said he stood outside for a short time before realizing his sign probably wasn’t large enough to draw attention. He went back to the drawing board, created a larger sign and made calls.

This time, donations began to arrive.

People who made a donation received a cookie, which Smithlin advertised on the sign. The cookie isn’t just a delicious incentive, but a way to honor Orum’s memory. Orum would often share cookies with his young friend while they spent time together enjoying activities like riding Orum’s tractor.

Smithlin collected about $123 in cash and stored it in a jar. He presented the money in a more convenient form, he said.

“I turned it into a check,” Smithlin said.