By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - The famous and not quite famous, CNN broadcaster Larry King and Tampa concert roadie Wayne Douchet, got together to say thanks to some students who helped them both.

The Hillel School raised more than $10,000 for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, which funds heart treatments for patients without adequate health insurance. Since the beginning of the school year, students stashed spare change in piggybanks, got pledges for a race they ran, and sold crafts, used books and baked goods.

Amy Wasser, head of school at the private Jewish education center, thought the $10,000 goal was out of reach. But families embraced it.

"With everyone coming together, we easily did it," she said. "I think it's an amazing message we taught these kids."

The payoff came Friday in a chance to meet King, who has three grandchildren at Hillel, and see for themselves the difference they made. The cardiac foundation differs from other charities by linking donors with the people they help.

That's where the man known as "Ace" Douchet came in. A backstage worker for national acts visiting Tampa, Douchet has a family history of heart disease. His grandfather and father both died at 49. He turns 49 next week.

Doctors discovered he had two blockages in his heart, and he had a double bypass in December at Pepin Heart Hospital. All or a large portion of the foundation's donation was used for Douchet's medical expenses. Pepin had told him about the donation, but he knew little about the donor until he arrived at Hillel on Friday.

"We heard about Ace so we made hearts with decorations on them and sprinkles and tissue paper," said 6-year-old Arielle Solomon.

Douchet was humbled. He introduced himself as the guy whose life they helped save.

"I'm sure my face turned as red as the hearts," he said. "It's really, really awesome."

King said the personal connection is the most important one to him. "It's so heartwarming," he said. "The whole concept of helping people is the best thing I do."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at                (813) 865-1503        .