When Parkland High School senior Monet Tiberii heard about classmate Josh Kates' accident she didn't hesitate to help.

Tiberii learned about Kates being hit by a car Dec. 2, 2013, along Tilghman Street near Cedar Crest Bouldevard, Allentown, from her boyfriend Jake Billera, who is on the football team with Kates.

"It was right before I left for the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA Pageant when I heard about Josh being in the accident," Tiberii said.

Tiberii is no stranger to medical problems. When she was 10, Tiberii was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia.

"My heart condition started getting worse and, when I was 14, it was corrected by surgery," Tiberii said. "It took me a year or two to recover from heart surgery. During that time, I received invitations to the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA Pageant."

Tiberii ignored the first two invites but this past December she competed and was selected as a semi-finalist.

"When I became a semi-finalist, there were a lot of scouting agents at the pageant watching me," Tiberii said. "The agency that scouted me was Miss Teen Lehigh Valley International."

A few weeks after she returned from the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA Pageant, Tiberii earned the title of Miss Teen Lehigh Valley International 2014.

"Right away I wanted to do something with my title," she said. "So I contacted Josh's mother, Sarah Richards, and told her of the title I won and said I wanted to help."

Tiberii said Josh, who sustained brain damage is in a rehabilitation center in Philadelphia learning how to walk and talk again, needs a special van, wheelchair and bed.

"Everything has to be specially made for Josh," she said. "When I heard he couldn't walk is when I came up with the idea of the charity walk," Tiberii said. "He may not be able to walk but we can."

The charity walk will take place noon Feb. 16 at the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park, Breinigsville.

Registration fee is $20 with all proceeds going toward Josh's medical and rehabilitation costs.

The walk begins at 1:30 p.m.

Information is on Facebook at Josh Kates Charity Walk, by emailing monet28@rcn.com or by calling 484-894-7153.

Tiberii said the goal of the walk is to raise $55,000 for the van.

"There will be a gathering after the walk 3-6 p.m. at Parkland High School where I will present the proceeds to Josh's mother," Tiberii said. "I believe my heart condition and being cured is my second chance.

"Whenever I have a chance to give back, I do. I kind of think it is my duty."

In addition to the charity walk to raise funds for Kates, Parkland High School faculty and staff had a chili cook-off Jan. 29 during lunch at the high school.

The winners of the cook-off were Parkland Assistant Principal Donna Steckel, first place; ninth grade English teacher Tania Tapia, second place; 12th grade College Algebra teacher Matthew Noctor, third place; and Guidance Counselor Eric Roberts who won fourth place.