By Kevin Agostinelli, staff reporter
If you earned $12,000 while manning a lemonade stand for the summer, what would you do with the money? Massachusetts teen Matthew Cappucci used his $12,000 earnings to help find a cure for cancer.
Since 2006, Matthew has volunteered for the nationwide organization Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer, which was founded by a young girl with cancer. In his interview with kid reporter Kevin Agostinelli, Matthew shared one personal story as to why he became so devoted to his service for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
“After I went door to door fundraising for the lemonade stand, I decided to stop into a local pizza shop to see if they could donate a raffle prize,” Matthew explained, “I met the manager; but as soon as I mentioned the word 'cancer', she began crying. She explained how her 2-year-old grandson had just been diagnosed with cancer.”
During Matthew’s service for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, he has kept in touch with the people who have impacted him.
“It was really nice for me to stay in contact with the pizza-shop woman. Within a few years, thanks to the generosity of others, [her grandson] had received the treatment that he needed, and was now cancer free. It's these kinds of moments that make me proud to be a part of the cure for cancer.”
Matthew’s impressive resume of community service also includes teaching religious education to first-graders, serving as a lector, and helping to run the Vacation Bible School Program at his local church St. Bonaventure. In the future, he wishes to inspire others to volunteer, and he has begun this goal by promoting donations to the American Cancer Society.
“Last year, I helped kick off the [American Cancer Society] event and delivered a 'pep talk' to encourage more people to support the organization. I hope to continue many of these events in the future.”
Matthew, now a freshman at Sturgis Charter Public School East on Cape Cod, was honored by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick in Faneuil Hall on December 14, 2010 for his efforts to benefit his community. During the event, Matthew delivered a speech on community service. He was able to meet Lt. Governor Tim Murray, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and several Patriots players, in addition to Governor Patrick.
On January 8, 2011, Governor Patrick selected Matthew to be one of the two “statewide ambassadors” for the inaugural meeting of Project 351, a program of 351-eighth graders from communities in Massachusetts.
“[Governor Deval Patrick] wanted the members he selected across the state to bring back what they learned to their communities and start a 'chain reaction',” Matthew asserted.
Since the Project 351 assembly, Matthew has continued to reach out to his own community of Plymouth to carry out Governor Patrick’s message. His continued work for Alex’s Lemonade Stand has taught people about the fight to cure cancer.
“I have started a chain reaction across the community by educating people about cancer,” Matthew explained, “Through this education, I hope that in the future, people will become more apt to fight cancer.”
Thankfully, Matthew plans to incorporate his passion for volunteerism and service into his future life.
“After a few years of doing these kinds of community service projects, I have realized that whatever I do in the future, I want to help people. It really gives back to you, and community service is such a nice way to 'give back to the community'.”
Editors' Note: This article was originally written by Kevin Agostinelli for Scholastic Kids News.
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| Matthew Cappucci |
If you earned $12,000 while manning a lemonade stand for the summer, what would you do with the money? Massachusetts teen Matthew Cappucci used his $12,000 earnings to help find a cure for cancer.
Since 2006, Matthew has volunteered for the nationwide organization Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer, which was founded by a young girl with cancer. In his interview with kid reporter Kevin Agostinelli, Matthew shared one personal story as to why he became so devoted to his service for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
“After I went door to door fundraising for the lemonade stand, I decided to stop into a local pizza shop to see if they could donate a raffle prize,” Matthew explained, “I met the manager; but as soon as I mentioned the word 'cancer', she began crying. She explained how her 2-year-old grandson had just been diagnosed with cancer.”
During Matthew’s service for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, he has kept in touch with the people who have impacted him.
“It was really nice for me to stay in contact with the pizza-shop woman. Within a few years, thanks to the generosity of others, [her grandson] had received the treatment that he needed, and was now cancer free. It's these kinds of moments that make me proud to be a part of the cure for cancer.”
Matthew’s impressive resume of community service also includes teaching religious education to first-graders, serving as a lector, and helping to run the Vacation Bible School Program at his local church St. Bonaventure. In the future, he wishes to inspire others to volunteer, and he has begun this goal by promoting donations to the American Cancer Society.
“Last year, I helped kick off the [American Cancer Society] event and delivered a 'pep talk' to encourage more people to support the organization. I hope to continue many of these events in the future.”
Matthew, now a freshman at Sturgis Charter Public School East on Cape Cod, was honored by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick in Faneuil Hall on December 14, 2010 for his efforts to benefit his community. During the event, Matthew delivered a speech on community service. He was able to meet Lt. Governor Tim Murray, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and several Patriots players, in addition to Governor Patrick.
On January 8, 2011, Governor Patrick selected Matthew to be one of the two “statewide ambassadors” for the inaugural meeting of Project 351, a program of 351-eighth graders from communities in Massachusetts.
“[Governor Deval Patrick] wanted the members he selected across the state to bring back what they learned to their communities and start a 'chain reaction',” Matthew asserted.
Since the Project 351 assembly, Matthew has continued to reach out to his own community of Plymouth to carry out Governor Patrick’s message. His continued work for Alex’s Lemonade Stand has taught people about the fight to cure cancer.
“I have started a chain reaction across the community by educating people about cancer,” Matthew explained, “Through this education, I hope that in the future, people will become more apt to fight cancer.”
Thankfully, Matthew plans to incorporate his passion for volunteerism and service into his future life.
“After a few years of doing these kinds of community service projects, I have realized that whatever I do in the future, I want to help people. It really gives back to you, and community service is such a nice way to 'give back to the community'.”
Editors' Note: This article was originally written by Kevin Agostinelli for Scholastic Kids News.
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