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Boy wants to take medicine to Russians He wants to help nation's poor kids By KELLY STEWART In Russia, aspirin is scarce, even in hospitals. And a 14-year-old Medford boy is trying to do something about it. Jim Huddleston plans to help alleviate a medicine shortage in Russia by hauling over-the-counter medication to orphanages and hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg. That is, if he can raise enough money to make the July 28 trip. Huddleston, an eighth-grader at Hedrick Middle School, needs to raise $2,800 to pay for plane fare, medical supplies and room and board for the trip. He will return to the United States on Aug. 11. Huddleston wants to travel to Russia to help needy children. He's spoken to people from his church who have traveled to Russia, and he's looking forward to the trip. "They said it was really fun meeting the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces," he said. Huddleston is one of six people from Medford planning to take part in the medical mission, sponsored nationally by the Community Church of Joy in Glendale, Ariz., and locally by Medford's Faith Bible Center. Huddleston's mother, Lorita Cushman, will complete the mission with her son. Levi Pool and Esther, Scott and Jamie Boley are the other Medford residents traveling to Russia. They are all raising money for the trip. Americans have been going on medical missions to Russia for 15 years through the Arizona church, Cushman said. She and her son have been studying Russian in preparation for the trip. Huddleston has worked hard to earn the $1,300 he's raised so far for the mission. He's gone door-to-door collecting bottles and cans, sent out letters and made phone calls to potential donors, and run a garage sale. Cushman said she is proud of her son's work. "I've seen him work four hours to make five bucks," she said. Huddleston also needs a donation of two stand-up, wheeled suitcases for toting medical supplies and care packages. If you can donate garage sale items or bottles and cans, call Huddleston at 772-6528. He will pick up the donations. Cash donations are tax-deductible; checks can be made out to the Community Church of Joy with "Russia trip" written in the memo space. Checks should be sent to Jim Huddleston, 2604 Pomona Way, Medford, OR 97504. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA