EIGHT-YEAR-OLD TO THE RESCUE.

Byline: MARK KELLAM Valley News Writer

Bita Habashi of West Hills may only be 8, but she's done more charitable work than many adults.

When you first meet her, she might be carrying a lunchbox, but it doesn't contain a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Inside is information about Children's Assault Treatment Services at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

She tells everyone she meets about the program and encourages them to make a donation.

If they do, the money goes in her lunchbox to be delivered to the group, which provides evidentiary exams, case management and counseling to victims of sexual assault and assault on a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days- a-week basis.

Last year, Bita raised $752 for the program. This year, she's raised $1,250.

For her support of the program, Bita was recently honored by Kohl's Kids Who Care, a scholarship program sponsored by Kohl's Department Stores.

The company recognizes children and teens across the country who do good deeds in their communities.

She received $6,000 in college scholarship money from Kohl's. She was honored at the local level, then advanced to the regional level and finally was recognized at the national level -- with each scholarship carrying a larger monetary amount.

She was nominated for the honor by Luanne Paglione, the principal at Woodcrest School in Tarzana, where Bita will be a third-grader this fall.

Bita got involved with Children's Assault Treatment Services when she was at an Albertsons store and saw a flier highlighting the program. Bita's mother, Maryam, had worked with abused mothers and told Bita about the need to help those moms and their children. Bita was so moved, she immediately began working on gathering donations.

Bita is working on putting together a team to participate in the Victory for Victims Walk/Run to be held in April. The event raises money for Children's Assault Treatment Services. Bita plans to raise $10,000 through the event.

This year, Bita got some help from a friend, Samantha Sanchez, 7, who used to go to Bita's school. The girls work together in their fundraising.

Samantha helps Bita raise funds for Children's Assault Treatment Services, and Bita helps Samantha raise money for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

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Bita Habashi, 8, of West Hills received $6,000 in college scholarship money from the Kohl's Kids Who Care scholarship program for her work raising funds for the Children's Assault Treatment Services at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Photo provided by Northridge Hospital Medical Center