At 14 years of age, most kids are thinking about other things than “giving back to society.” This is not the case for Rayne Solt, a gifted student at a charter cyber school.

Rayne talked to her mother, Melissa, about raising money to assist children struggling with mental health challenges.

With the assistance of volunteers and a good friend, Rayne and her mother coordinated a 5-K run beginning at Saylor Park, North Second Street in Coplay. The race was called Miles for Mental Health.

They researched organizations that can help. They settled on raising funds for the Lehigh Valley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

“You are never too young to make a difference,” Rayne said. “The goal is to raise money for NAMI to help kids who cannot afford to get a therapist and the help they need.”

The day included food, trophies and awards for race participants. A basket raffle was an additional fundraiser at the event.

More than 50 runners/walkers completed the course.

Rayne, who resides with her mother in Walnutport, said being in the gifted program at a charter cyber school is a good fit for her because she can advance at her own level. She felt mainstream school was stifling her.

Rayne already has an eye on a possible career path as an attorney or an event coordinator.