Way to Go!: Kyle Orent of Northport Middle School

Kyle Orent, a seventh-grader at Northport Middle School, will receive the 2010 Leader of Tomorrow Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Long Island chapter for raising about $135,000 for the nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence.

Orent's efforts began at age 7 when he asked his parents for a lemonade stand, which he set up in front of his house as well as at local sports games and the annual Cow Harbor Race in Northport to raise money for charity.

He has also held several online auctions of celebrity items - including posters and dog collars autographed by George Clooney, Joe Namath and Billy Joel, among others.

"My motto is: You're never too little to make a difference," said Orent, 12, who said the largest donation he has received is a $10,000 check from Shoreline Records Management in Medford. "I love to help people."

Orent said he would like other kids nationwide to adopt his lemonade stand concept. He is also planning to launch a "Cooks That Care" program in which participating local restaurants would give a portion of a day's profits to charity.

He will be honored at an awards luncheon at the Huntington Hilton in November.