No matter how old we get or how smart we think we are, important life lessons or refreshers on what is truly important can come from the unlikeliest of places.

Take the selfless work and caring spirit shown by 12-year-old Coal Grove youth Ansleigh Adkins.

Ansleigh suffers from a rare colorectal disease called familial adomenotus polyposis. It means are intestines are filled with polyps, a condition for which she will have a major surgery later this year.

But while she was going to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for treatment, the young lady’s character shone through. Rather than worrying about herself, she decided she wanted to do something to lift the spirits of the children at the hospital.

So she began raising money to provide a Ronald McDonald Charity Bear to the 36 children at the hospital, a project that benefits the Ronald McDonald House as well.

With community support and family encouragement, Ansleigh recently achieved that goal.

But she isn’t just stopping there.

Now the student is setting her sights on helping children at a Huntington, W.Va., hospital.

To buy a ticket for an upcoming raffle or to donate to Ansleigh’s project, contact Crystal at (740) 533-0634, or Michele at (606) 923-5318.

For her hard work and compassionate spirit, The Tribune is proud to recognize her with this week’s “Good News, Good Neighbors” spotlight.

The old saying talks about the wisdom that comes from “the mouths of babes.”

In this case, the actions of a this young person speak even louder.