KARNS CITY — After getting his driver's license, Steven Bellas told his mother he registered to be an organ donor.

“I wasn't crazy about the idea. I didn't like it at first,” Pam Bellas said. “I thought it was a little weird. I guess I didn't understand it then.

“I do now.”

Steven, 21, of Bradys Bend died Nov. 23 from injuries suffered the day before in an automobile accident.

His heart was transplanted and saved a life in the Pittsburgh area. His liver and kidneys were sent to Philadelphia for transplantation and his right lung was transplanted into a patient in Pittsburgh.

“This is what he wanted to do if he couldn't live ... save lives,” Mrs. Bellas said.

“Steven is believed to have saved four lives, maybe five.”

Dakota Mohney, a good friend of Steven's and his football teammate at Karns City High School, never heard him talk about organ donation.

But he wasn't surprised by his intentions.

“Live strong and give back,” Mohney said. “That's how he lived his life. Now he lives on.”

Stronger than ever, perhaps. In this Christmas season of giving, Steven gave the ultimate gift.

Life.