By Brenda Sexton

The Courier-Herald

Taylor Davis' parents will tell you the Enumclaw 8-year-old has a huge heart.

For the past couple of years, the Kibler Elementary School third-grader has sold old clothes and toys at an annual garage sale. She donates the money to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, hoping to make children's stays there more comfortable.

It started as a mother's ploy to get a child to clean her room. But Taylor saw a television show about the children at Mary Bridge and thought they could better spend her money.

When Taylor's best friend Mc-Kensey Johnson, 8, and her sister Carryn, 11, got sick this summer and didn't have insurance, Taylor didn't think twice about where the money was going.

"I was a little shocked the first year," Taylor's mother Carina said about her daughter's penchant for helping those in need. "This year, with friends and all, it didn't surprise me one bit. She'd do anything for McKensey and Carryn."

Taylor raised $225 through sales and donations at this summer's garage sale at her grandmother's house in Sumner. A friend donated another $100 to start a benevolent account at Bank of America to help the two girls and their family. Donations can be made to the McKensey and Carryn Johnson Account at any Bank of America branch. Taylor's father, Dan Davis (at Interstate Mortgage in Enumclaw, 360-825-0296) has more information for those interested.

The fund will help the Johnsons cover living expenses while they stay at Ronald McDonald House in Seattle, medical expenses and travel, primarily for Carryn and McKensey's father Rob Johnson who is still at home in Montana working.

"It's just amazing," said the girls' mom, Shana Johnson, of Taylor's effort. "She's such a sweetie. I'm just blown away. She's been such a blessing."

Taylor and McKensey met at an Enumclaw preschool. About 2-1/2 years ago, the Johnsons moved to Montana, but the girls kept in touch through letters, e-mail and phone calls.

"They still talk all the time and get together whenever they can," Shana Johnson said. "It's pretty amazing. Usually kids that age move on."

In late July, early August, weeks within each other, the Johnsons received a double whammy. A lump on Carryn's back was diagnosed as cancer and a hole was discovered in McKensey's heart.

"I was really upset that happened," Taylor said.

Despite the distance, the Johnson family decided to pack up and head to someplace near friends and family - Seattle's Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.

McKensey underwent surgery to repair the hole and is doing well. She has another check up in the coming weeks, but is recovering nicely at her grandmother's home in Yakima.

Carryn is going through her second round of chemotherapy.

"I knew nothing about cancer before this, I was so uneducated," said Shana Johnson, who now rattles off treatment for Ewingsarcoma like an expert. Carryn will undergo three months of chemotherapy, then surgery and perhaps radiation.

Johnson said her daughter's faith gives her strength.

"She is my hero. She lifts my spirits when I'm down."

It's the family's faith they say, that keeps them strong. Shana Johnson said, "I believe God doesn't give you anything you can't handle."

But, God also gave them friends like Taylor Davis and her family to help them out.

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com.