February 11, 2010

Local Teens Prove One Is Greater Than None

Contributed by Long Island Parent Magazine

Many people want to make a difference in society, but they become overwhelmed by all the causes in need, so wind up doing nothing. For eight Long Island teenagers that was an unacceptable outcome. They believed that any contribution, no matter how small, has value, and that even helping just one person makes a difference. Their conviction has led them to help 48 children in Ghana, and 1,012 Americans, through their organization One Is Greater Than None—which they founded when they were only 14.

Kayla Barnofsky (16), Hayley and Jessica Feldman (17), Ariel Stern (16), Samantha Walnick (16), Samantha Malis (16) and Anjelica Mantikas (17), live in Merrick and attend John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore; Chelsea Genden (17), attends Lynbrook High School.

In 2007, the friends were searching for a cause to support when they were moved by an Oprah episode that talked about children from Ghana, Africa, who are unwittingly sold into slavery for as little as $20 by their families. They were unanimous in their decision that they would work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to sponsor rescue missions to save these children.

“We learned it would cost about $4,300 to save one child by providing rehabilitation and reuniting them with their families,” says Samantha Walnick. “We decided to make bracelets and package them on cards that would educate people about what was going on in the fishing villages of Ghana.”

It took them a while to figure out what materials worked best. And then they made enough bracelets to sell outside of Borders one weekend afternoon.

“From a parent’s perspective, I thought it was really cute that they were doing this, and I figured they’d maybe raise a few hundred dollars,” says Ariel’s mom Shari. “And of course we’d support them and do what we could. We moms were shocked when they earned $1,000 that day.”

Adds Angelica’s mom, Eleni: “It was also shocking the amount of negativity they received from people. That first day a man gave them $50 and told them `even though I know it’s a hopeless cause.’ If it were me I would have been upset, but it inspired them even more.”

From there the girls designed a necklace and T-shirts with their logo, 1>0, and their tag line “Be Part of the Equation,” which were sold at Bloomingdales, boutiques nationwide, and on their Web site, www.oneisgreaterthannone.org.

To date the girls have raised over $120,000 to help return 24 children to their families and have sponsored another 24 orphaned children through the Touch a Life Foundation in Ghana. In addition, in response to people who asked them why they don’t do something to help people in their own country, the girls began working with Remote Area Medical (RAM), which supplies free medical care to people in impoverished rural areas.  The girls have already sponsored one clinic in Grundy, VA, and will soon be sponsoring and volunteering at another in New Jersey. Click here to read the full article!

READER CHALLENGE:
We need you, our readers, to “Be Part of the Equation” and help One Is Greater Than None sponsor another (RAM) Remote Area Medical Rural America Clinic. Our goal for February and March is to raise at least $3,500. (Just think: If 350 families each donated $10 we’d reach our goal quickly.) Just click here www.oneisgreaterthannone.org or send a check payable to One Is Greater Than None, PO Box 528, Merrick, NY 11566. Just put Long Island Parent in the memo line. One Is Greater Than None is a registered 501 c 3. Thank you for supporting the girls’ mission.

Click the banner below to find out how you can make a difference!

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