Johnnie Campbell is helping people who are in a similar position as his family was when he was an infant.

Johnnie, a Manor Township resident who is a fourth-grader at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Lancaster, recently collected a variety of goods for the Ronald McDonald House.

He put up a poster above a plastic tub to solicit donations from people at Sacred Heart, St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Columbia, St. Philip the Apostle Church in Millersville, Knights of Columbus - Columbia Council 2294, and Knights of Columbus - St. Philip the Apostle Council 17028.

"It is for people who have friends or family in the hospital," he explained.

On April 17, Johnnie and his parents, John and Felecia, then took the food, cleaning supplies, crossword puzzle books, and writing implements to the Ronald McDonald House across from Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

"I want to help people," said Johnnie, who added he is inspired by his Catholic faith to assist those in need.

Last year, Johnnie donated supplies to Clare House in Lancaster, which is a transitional housing program where mothers and children facing homelessness can receive safety, support, and respect. He and Felecia also made spaghetti and meatballs for residents of Clare House. "I made the meatballs, and my mom made the spaghetti," Johnnie clarified.

This year, Johnnie focused his charitable campaign on a cause with a personal connection. A few weeks prior to Johnnie turning 6 months old, he and Felecia were attacked by the family dog. Felecia was bitten on the arm, and Johnnie suffered serious injuries, including dog bites on the side of his face and on his stomach and legs.

He was initially transported to Lancaster General Hospital but then was quickly moved to Hershey Medical Center.

John, who was running an errand at the time of the attack, drove to Hershey and waited as Johnnie underwent a seven-hour surgery. "That was the most excruciating seven hours of my life," said John. "After the surgery, I didn't know what to do. I was just kind of sitting there."

That's when a nurse informed John that Johnnie would be sleeping for a while and suggested that John call the Ronald McDonald House. She told John the Ronald McDonald House might not have room at that moment, but they might later in the day. The nurse advised John to return home and pick up Felecia, who had been hospitalized overnight, and pack some belongings, and maybe there would be room by the time he and Felecia got back. "Everything she told me was exactly what happened," said John.

John and Felecia kept watch at Johnnie's bedside around the clock, with one at the hospital while the other stayed in the Ronald McDonald House long enough to eat and sleep. Doctors warned that Johnnie may have permanent nerve damage, but surgery alleviated those concerns. Thanks to the doctors and nurses at Hershey Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House, Johnnie was home a week after the incident.

Although he still has scarring on his face, stomach, and legs, Johnny is doing "great," to use one of his favorite words. When not in school, he enjoys playing video games and is a pitcher on his youth baseball team, which is managed by John.

Johnnie dreams of getting a new baseball bat, and his main worry is whether his favorite baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, will make the playoffs.

He already hit a home run with his latest philanthropic effort. "He has a big heart," Felecia said of her son.

"I'm proud of him," John added.