Photo by Travis Pratt From left, Lance Cpl. Christopher Melton and Staff Sgt. Harold Kuwazaki, representing the Marines' Toys for Tots program, are presented a check by Julia Lemick, representing Kids are Heroes.

In September, $475 was collected for Frederick County Animal Shelter. In October, $261 was collected and presented to the Marines Toys for Tots program on Wednesday.

But the mall isn't taking all the credit.

Earlier this year, FSK Mall spokeswoman Christine Steinbrenner read a story in The Frederick News-Post about a father-daughter duo, Gabe and MaryMargaret O'Neill, who created www.kidsareheroes.com, a website that recognizes kids who make extraordinary contributions to the community through charitable work.

"After reading the article, I immediately contacted Gabe O'Neill to discuss ways to recognize these incredible kids, and Kids Are Heroes Day was created," Steinbrenner said.

As an extension of Kids Are Heroes Day, the mall offered the proceeds of its fountain to Kids Are Heroes causes.

In September, MaryMargaret O'Neill was the recipient of the coins, and donated them to the Frederick County Animal Shelter. In October, 9-year-old Julia Lemick was the featured hero. She donated her coins to Toys for Tots on Wednesday.

"I did it because my Poppa is a part of it and I wanted to help," Julia said, referring to her grandfather, a Toys for Tots coordinator in Vero Beach, Fla. "I feel happy and will do it again."

Julia is the daughter of Ron and Stacie Lemick of New Market .

The fountain coin donation program has been in place for many years, and has benefited organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Volunteer Frederick and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Steinbrenner said the mall hopes to continue Kids Are Heroes Day, which started in September.

Nonprofit organizations interested in receiving proceeds from the fountain should submit a letter of request. Coins are retrieved from the fountain monthly. Nonprofit organizations selected to receive the proceeds are responsible for cleaning and counting the coins.

No fountain proceeds are collected in November, December and around Easter, when the fountain is covered for holiday decor.

"It's interesting, because you never know how much to expect until you count it. It could be buckets full of pennies or quarters, and that makes a vast difference," Steinbrenner said.

"I was thrilled to discover the website www.kidsareheroes.com," Steinbrenner said. "It was such a great resource to find such incredible kids in our own community. I thought the mall was the perfect venue to recognize these kids, and also give them an opportunity to extend their efforts."