Devon Bizarre is not your average high school junior.

In addition to being a four-sport athlete; member of the Weatherly High School band, chorus, and Student Government Association; and a participant in the Junior Leadership program for the Greater Hazleton area, the 17-year-old Weatherly girl has a soft spot for the seniors of Carbon County.Maybe it's because as she grew up, she watched her mother, Cindy, who works for the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging, help the elderly men and women that make up the backbone of Carbon County; or maybe it's because her grandmother, Brenda Zellers, worked for Weatherwood, the former county nursing home, for just over 24 years; or maybe it's because her 93-year-old great-grandmother, Alverta Bizarre, participated in the Carbon County Senior Games years ago.Whatever the reason, Bizarre noted that helping the senior community is in her blood.That's why Bizarre decided earlier this year to take up the charge and help the Area Agency on Aging with its challenge of raising $7,000 to fund the 23rd annual Carbon County Senior Games."Some people (students) do things that interest them, but I thought for mine, what better way to help the community than to help the elders, especially since I was involved with the Senior Games for so long."She noted that because of her mother's involvement in helping to run the games, she has volunteered her time for as long as she could remember.Bizarre said she is happy to help the Area Agency on Aging and the seniors because she knows the importance of exercising and socializing."This project is near and dear to my heart," she said. "Regardless of one's age, staying physically fit and active is important to staying healthy. As a student-athlete at Weatherly Area High School, I enjoy participating with my teammates in cross country, soccer, basketball and softball, and I enjoy meeting new kids from the opposing teams. I would like to help the Senior Games to continue to be successful in keeping senior citizens physically active. It is a great way to loosen up and meet new people or just catch up with old friends."Bizarre picked this project, entitled "Promoting Wellness for the Elderly" as her high school graduation project. Every student in Pennsylvania must complete a project as a requirement for high school graduation.To date, Bizarre and her mother have sent out nearly 200 letters to area businesses soliciting donations for the Senior Games. The Area Agency on Aging has received just over $300 so far from Bizarre's efforts. Money raised will be used to cover the operations of the games, including lunches for the participants, venue costs, team shirts and equipment.The letter that was sent out explains that "the Carbon County Senior Games have been around for over 20 years and have encouraged approximately 200 senior citizens to stay active."She noted that the games are Olympic-style events, which take place during the first two weeks of May.A poor economy has brought challenges to the organizers of the games because funding sources are drying up, the letter continues.Bizarre added that in addition to helping raise funds to hold the games, she will also be making fliers on the upcoming games and will distribute them in the Weatherly community to hopefully encourage more Weatherly residents to get involved in the games. Annually, only a handful of Weatherly seniors participate.She stressed that participation not only benefits a person's health, but allows a person to enjoy socializing with others."You get to meet new people from all different towns in Carbon County and it's a way to stay healthy and fit," Bizarre said, noting that these are her top reasons for encouraging more seniors to participate.She noted that so far, her efforts with the project have encouraged her grandmother to get involved with the games. Now, she hopes more men and women will follow suit.Bizarre's family is proud of Devon's commitment to her community.Cindy said this project will help a lot of people in the county."I'm proud of her," she said, noting that when Devon puts her mind to something, she does it with her whole heart and is great at it.Her grandmother and great-grandmother echoed Cindy's thoughts."I think it's a good idea because there are not many participants from the Weatherly area," Brenda said, adding that this project is unique because the money Devon raises will directly help Carbon County.If anyone would like to help Bizarre's cause and donate to the Carbon County Senior Games, they can contact Cindy Bizarre at (610) 824-7830 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for a sponsorship letter and information on ad sizes.Donations can be made for either $25, $50, $100 or $200. Donors will be recognized with an ad in the annual souvenir booklet, which is distributed to all seniors on May 1, at the opening ceremonies of the games.Checks should be made payable to Carbon County Area Agency on Aging with "2012 Senior Games" marked in the memo; and mailed to Carbon County Aging Office, Attention Cindy Bizarre, 401 Delaware Ave., 3rd Floor, Palmerton, PA 18071.Deadline for contributions is March 30.