Cancer fund-raiser boosted by bakery owner.

NEGAUNEE -- You can hear the passion in Mary Beth Kurtz's voice when she talks about helping with the fight against breast cancer.  So it's no surprise how the owner of Midtown Bakery in Negaunee, a survivor of breast cancer herself, chose to pay kindness forward.

Last week her business neighbor, Kelly Crookham of Grand Effex Salon, gave Mary Beth a certificate for a free pedicure.  Now she's donating money to Linda Fetterhoff and Julie Priebe, who plan to walk in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk next June in Chicago.

"I'm going to give each of them $100 to kick off their fund-raising," said Mary Beth. "We plan to have bake sales and cheeseburger cook-offs, too."

Mary Beth will also walk the 39.9 miles in Chicago.  All three ladies need to raise $1,800 to participate.

"This is a fabulous start," said Fetterhoff.  "It makes it OK; $1,700 dollars to go.  I have until June.  I can do it."

Besides a monetary donation, Mary Beth will offer moral support and encouragement for Linda and Julie as they prepare for the walk.

They'll walk a full marathon the first day and a half marathon the second day.  That means they have a lot of walking to do beforehand to get ready.

"We'll probably have to do some walking together," said Prieve, "and the boss will have to get us the right shoes for walking."

Linda and Julie say they've thought about how to pass the kindness along, but they're keeping it top secret.  The only hint they'll give is that they plan to keep it in the U.P.

Check out our Pay It Forward page to follow the good deeds.