Palatine youth wins award from circus for fundraising efforts

The people behind the Greatest Show On Earth think 8-year-old Cameron DePue is up to some pretty great things himself.

Cameron, who lives in Palatine, won Chicago's Gold Barnum Award the top of three local honors for his efforts raising money for the Pathways Center in Glenview.

He was to be honored for his achievements before the 7 p.m. performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Barnum's FUNundrum! last Wednesday at the United Center.

Cameron, who has Asperger's syndrome and has received speech therapy services at the not-for-profit Pathways Center, held a walkathon to raise money for the center. The money raised will be used to help children in financial need pay for physical, occupational and speech therapy.

The Barnum Award, named for circus founder and philanthropist P.T. Barnum, rewards children ages six to 14 who have created social good and community through their own inventive and pioneering actions.

Winners are chosen from a pool of nominees and receive medals and grants of up to $1,000 to fund future service projects. This year's other Chicago-area recipients were 10 year-old Jeffrey Linnert Jr. of Orland Park and 13-year-old Tatiyana Oates of South Holland.

For more information on the award and how to nominate a child, go to thebarnumaward.com.