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| By Danielle Paine Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW - Nearly 230 teens of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation's B'nai Tzedez Teen Philanthropy program will dine with activist Ruth Messinger in culmination of their year of giving back to the world. The May 7 banquet will also honor these young activists for their contributions to both local and international Jewish charities. Many are excited to hear the groups president, Messinger, speak of her hands-on work in the campaign to stop genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. "This is a time when teen members come together with members of the community," explained Director of the group's local chapter, Valerie Gintis. "It really is a culmination of adult community leaders and teens celebrating the work that our organization has done for social justice and philanthropy." To join this group, each teen donates $125 from their Bat Mitzvah (or Bat Mitzvah) gift money, which is then matched by the Jewish Endowment with $125 and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for $150. Interest from these funds is donated annually to charity. Others go beyond this initial goal by applying to be part of the chapter's teen board of directors. This step requires them to raise an additional $200 each year for charity. They then decide an annual focus for their giving through the creation of a mission statement, review grant applications from Jewish non-profit groups and finally gift their money to projects around the globe. "I just think it's a really good opportunity for a lot of teens, because instead of just giving money, you see exactly where it goes and that's really nice," said teen board member Atlee Chait of Longmeadow. "Maybe I'll look back in ten years and see how big these programs [we have given grants to] have gotten and remember that I was there helping them to start all of that." This year, the board will be giving to organizations who fit in with their mission statement which is focused on education, especially for small children, so that they too can grow up to help their communities. They are currently still reviewing applications for grants. Along with the paperwork portion of this board, these teens raise money through annual fund-raisers from bake sales to bike ride or any way they can. One member played clarinet at functions to raise his annual dues. "Whether they raise the money through the 127 mile bike ride or running a marathon, they sweat for it," Gintis said. "So when they give away money they are looking for the place who will best use their resources." For more information about the Harold Grinspoon Foundation's B'nai Tzedez Teen Philanthropy program, call 439-1949. |