While many kids his age are making copious Christmas and Chanukah lists of gifts they’d like to receive, seventh grader Jack Ginsberg has embraced the true spirit of the season and is giving to youngsters whose holidays—and lives—have not always been filled with happiness.
Jack and fellow Paul Revere middle schoolers delivered a check in the amount of $3,500 on Monday, December 6 making the season more joyous for htose in need.
It was a summer visit to Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services—which operates a special-needs K-12 school and a therapeutic, residential treatment program for severely emotionally disturbed youth—that
inspired Jack to help brighten the lives of those served by the nonprofit organization . Accompanied by his mother and sister—Jack had gone to Vista to explore volunteer opportunities. While touring the West Los Angeles campus, Jack’s attention was drawn to a group of students—many his same age—who were laughing and smiling as they kicked a ball around an athletic field.
A member of Paul Revere’s Student Council, Jack launched a coin-jar-fundraising campaign. Donation jars were placed in every classroom, and at every opportunity Jack took to the school’s PA system and cajoled students and teachers alike to help Vista’s kids. Coin by coin the jars grew increasingly full, and on Monday, Jack—along with his fellow Student Council members—hand delivered the $3,500 that will be used to help fund sports programs at Vista.
As Vista Del Mar’s President and CEO Elias Lefferman, Ph.D., noted, “For the youngsters that we serve, the holidays can be an especially difficult time of year. The money that Jack has raised not only will buy much-needed-athletic equipment, but, more importantly, it communicates to these kids that someone—someone their own age—truly cares about them.”
For additional info on Vista Del Mar’s many programs: www.vistadelmar.org.
