BOTHELL -- Hundreds of sixth graders at Bothell's Woodmoor Elementary became KOMO 4 Problem Solvers Monday.

As part of their 6th grade graduation tradition, students donate a legacy gift. This year the sixth grade class chose to give their legacy gift to one of our Problem solver recipients, James O'Neal.

Everywhere he goes, people know James O'Neal's name.

"I can barely get through my shift at Safeway, everybody wants to talk to me or touch me," said O'Neal while he waited at the entrance of a Bothell park Monday morning.

A parent of one the 6th graders at Woodmoor Elementary asked O'Neal to be at the park at 10 o'clock. They told him they had a special surprise for him.

As the students arrived they bombarded James with a chorus of "Hi James"; "How you doing James"; "Good Morning James."

A genetic disorder has disfigured his face. Since late May, the community, the Safeway grocery store where James works, and the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers have teamed together to help James raise money for surgery to reconstruct his face.

Monday, the youngest Problem Solvers got on board! The students devoted part of their school's-almost-out party to James. Wednesday is Woodmoor students' last day.

Before they leave their school and head off to junior high, they leave a legacy gift.

Usually the students raise money and buy something for the community, such as a park bench or a piece of art, but this year?

"This year we are taking a different approach and acknowledging that the most important things in life are not things," said sixth grader Fred Mortimore. "Woodmoor Elementary Class of 2008 has chosen to name James O'Neal as the recipient of this year's legacy gift."

The class raised $600 for James selling root beer floats and holding a bake and book sale.

O'Neal was so choked up he kept his acceptance speech short, "I thank you very much, and I really appreciate this."

James was born with Neurofibromatosis. He didn't think surgery was financially possible, until one of his Safeway customers created a fund raising website and called the Problem Solvers.

James has been a fixture at the Kirkland Safeway for 7 years. His customers insist he's an inspiration. He had the option to work anywhere in the store, but he chose to be a checker and work with the public. Together, Safeway, shoppers and the Komo 4 Problem Solvers have helped to raise over $100,000.

When 6th grader Elyse Janzen heard James' story she nominated him for the Legacy gift.

"Everyone knows him and everyone loves him, he's really a nice person," said Janzen. It was an easy sell.

Most of the students know James from the Safeway store.

"James, we're really happy this is all happening," said student Garret Pygott.

With his hand over his heart, and tears in his eyes James said, "It makes me feel really good, really touched and honored."

For the first time in nearly 30 years James will meet with a surgeon on Wednesday. Safeway not only donated the first $10,000, they also found the University of Washington plastic surgeon who will meet with James.

"It's cool that I get to share a part in it," said sixth grader Abby Knopf, "It's cool that we get to help James get one step closer to surgery."

And it makes James feel pretty cool too.

"They make me feel like a celebrity. So much so, that next month, I'm going to take a day at work and set up a table and all I do is meet people and talk to them and thank them," said O'Neal.