Tracy High School senior Ciera Soliz admits she should probably be taking it easy this summer. But the International Baccalaureate student and two-sport athlete couldn’t rest when there was a good cause to support.

Soliz, 17, and several other teenagers are hosting a series of fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which seeks to find treatment for “catastrophic diseases,” according to its mission statement.

A June 30 lemonade and root beer float stand hosted by Soliz and about 14 other teenage volunteers yielded $1,073, she said, and the group hopes to rake in even more for the institute.

“It just makes me want to keep going, because it feels so good,” she said.

St. Jude was an obvious choice for Soliz and her helpers. Soliz’s grandmother, Genny Thompson, died from cancer, and her grandfather sends contributions every month.

Also, a classmate was diagnosed with cancer at the end of the most recent school year.

“It really hit home,” Soliz said. “Cancer is something that’s caused so many people sorrow in their lives.”

Her effort will continue with a garage sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 14. Those who visit 592 Quail Run Circle should find jewelry, clothes, shoes, beauty products and other household goods.

“A lot of the teenagers who are helping me out,” she said, “we’re all just going to pool together all the stuff that we can find.”

So far, Facebook and other social media have helped build the effort, Soliz said, and a website is under design.

While Soliz hopes to have a fundraiser every two weeks or so for the rest of summer break, she’s also hatching a plan to make the effort year-round, even after she leaves Tracy High as a member of the Class of 2013.

“It’s been so successful, I’d like to turn it into an actual club at Tracy High,” she said.

• Helping Our Town runs in Our Town when we hear about someone who’s doing good things in our community. Send news to tpourtown@tracypress.com.