EL PASO, Texas -- A cancer patient finds a way to pay it forward to the organization that's been helping his family through tough times.

"The fire kind of shook everyone, surprised everyone, so I wanted to do something back," said Anthony Vera, the El Paso High School freshman who's made it his mission to help Candlelighters of El Paso as it goes through tough times itself.

In January, KFOX told you about an electrical fire that ripped through the Candlelighters' donation center in east El Paso. The charity lost at least $50,000 in computers, phones, and donations.

"This past week we've been hosting a donation drive at El Paso High. People could bring in their donations, used clothing, toys, electronics, anything that they'd like to donate to Candlelighters," said Vera.

Other school districts that have volunteered to collect donations have really stepped it up said Scott Lynch, CEO of Candlelighters.

For Vera, it's a personal satisfaction to know he's making a difference. Since being diagnosed with abdominal cancer this past September, Vera's family has had to rely heavily on the services and financial help Candlelighters provides.

"The bills come out really high for chemo treatment so their (Candlelighters) help is really a need for families with cancer," said Vera.

"The money that we generate go to pay for rent (for these families), utilities, reimburse medical travel for out-of-town for procedures not done here," said Lynch.

Like other charities, Candlelighters is feeling a crunch during these tough economic times. However, the situation has become dire now that the main call center was destroyed in the fire. Mothers of children with cancer would volunteer at the center and call on El Paso for all types of donations.

"We expect our grants and our fundraising to drop 30 percent this year, but we can't cut back on services. The families come first. That shortfall is made up by the donation center. Income from that operation funds a 1/3 of our programs and services," said Lynch.

Donations are accepted at all Big 8 location, Savers, El Paso High School or Wiggs Middle School.

The charity is currently looking for volunteers, call 544-2222 for more information.