Help Peace Out Win $5,000 and Vote Christina Smith-Stembler as Brotherton Community Champion

It's not every day you can reward kindness in action with a $5,000 check, but a local video contest could do just that for an organization supported by a Snoqualmie mom and Issaquah's Lakeside Autism Center.

A short documentary video starring Christina Smith-Stembler and the Lakeside Autism Center Christina Smith-Stembler is a mother of four, and a champion for many more children.

Her son, Hunter, was born with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Children and babies with a CDH birth defect currently have a 50 percent survival rate. He's five now, and Christina has made it her mission to support families who have children with CHD. The video has been entered into the Brotherton Community Champion competition, sponsored by Brotherton Cadillac in Renton.

In the video, Smith-Stembler talks about how she came to be involved with CHERUBS, the Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Research Awareness and Support, to help families cope with the emotional and financial drain as they try to raise a child afflicted with CDH. CHERUBS was formed in 1995 to raise awareness about CDH, to support all babies and families affected by it and to promote research into its causes, prevention and CDH treatments. Smith-Stembler is Washington State Rep and Oregon Co-Rep for the non-profit organization.

"I want to look back and know that I made somekind of difference," she said.

Watch the Smith-Stembler's submission for Brotherton Community Champion on the KOMO News Facebook page and vote now! Voting ends at midnight, May 19.

The top three stories and films will be showcased at a special Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) event on Weds., May 29 at 5 p.m. at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center.

The contest grand prize is $5,000.

The short videos in the series are produced by local film directors volunteering their talents. Share these stories of people making a difference with friends and get everyone out to vote!