NILES — The bright orange toilet will likely appear without warning.

Gracing the lawn of an unsuspecting neighbor, stopping a passerby in their tracks — the toilet won’t be easy to miss. And while few know where it will head next, they can rest assured that the one-of-a-kind lawn ornament is for a good cause.

For the past five years, 2009 Brandywine alum Leah Siderits, 27, of South Bend, has been raising money for multiple sclerosis research and treatment through her organization Soldiers for Stef. The group is named after Siderits’ mother, Stefanie Woodrick, 49. Through walking events and other fundraisers, Soldiers for Stef seeks to spread awareness and help researchers find a cure for the life altering disease.

Siderits’ latest plan to raise money has been a unique one.

For the past week, two bright orange toilets have been circulating Dowagiac and Niles. The fundraiser works like this: those who find the toilet in their yard can pay $10 to have it removed or they can make it more interesting and pay $20 to have the toilet removed and sent to a person’s house of their choosing across Michiana. For $30, those in possession of the toilet can send it to a lawn of their choosing and also assure that the toilet cannot be returned to their yard.  Siderits described the last option as an “insurance” of sorts and it has been one of the most popular choices, she said.

Those who find the toilet on their lawn and do not want to play are not obligated to do so, Siderits said. There is an option to mark on top of the tank that they are not interested and they can call or text someone to remove the toilet.

So far though, Siderits said the response has been positive and those who find the toilet on their lawn have helped to spread the message by sharing it on social media.

Siderits said she saw the idea for a fundraiser on Pinterest and pitched it to Soldiers for Stef, who were on board with the project.

Since starting the fundraiser last week, the community has raised $1,000. The funds will be  donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for research and treatment of the illness.

Siderits said she also wanted to bring awareness to MS.

“I don’t really feel like it is a cause that gets much attention. There are more than 8 million people impacted, the treatment is very limited. It holds a special place in my heart,” Siderits said.

Woodrick, of Niles, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 15 years ago. While Woodrick has faced many cognitive and mobility challenges stemming from the illness, Siderts said her mom has not let MS run her life. Each year, during the walk in South Bend, Woodrick participates in the three-mile challenge.

“She doesn’t let it impact her daily life,” Siderits said. “It takes every bit of energy that she has to do that three-mile walk. There are people with MS that are wheel chair bound, so she walks for those who can no longer walk who have multiple sclerosis. She is super inspiring.”

In the week since the toilets have been circulating the lawns of Michiana, $1,000 has been raised for the cause. In total, Siderits is hoping to raise $15,000 before the Walk MS: South Bend on May 5 at the Indiana University of South Bend.

Soldiers for Stef has been raising funds for the cause since mid-February. Siderits said they are only about $1,500 away from their goal.

“It has been a pretty cool thing to see us accomplish,” Siderits said. “We are blowing it out of the water so far.”

Woodrick has also been proud to see her community help to raise money.

In addition to supporting the cause, Siderts encouraged those interested to sign up and join the race.

A taco party will also take place throughout the day at the Wounded Minnow on May 5. The owner of the restaurant, Kyle Belew, will be giving proceeds from the food and drinks to the cause.

For more information or to donate online visit, facebook.com/SoldiersForStef or main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?team_id=539421&fr_id=29700&pg=team.