Very proud and honored to have been selected as the top Middle Level Honoree from MA for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2018! Thank you to my Principal for nominating me and to the committee for choosing me. I hope that this recognition will shine a light on the urgent need to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research! Congratulations to all of the winners, finalists and student volunteers everywhere! https://spirit.prudential.com/…/2…/ma/harrison-harry-bennett
BOSTON, Feb. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kira Andreucci, 17, of Fitchburgand Harrison (Harry) Bennett, 12, of Malden today were named Massachusetts' top two youth volunteers of 2018 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, Kira and Harry each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in late April to Washington, D.C., where they will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2018.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 23rd year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Middle Level State Honoree: Harry Bennett
Nominated by St. Joseph School in Medford
Harry, a seventh-grader at St. Joseph School, created a nonprofit organization with his younger brother to produce a line of all-natural lip and body balm products that they sell to support Hodgkin's lymphoma research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. When Harry's friend Timmy was diagnosed with Hodgkin's in May of 2016, Harry "couldn't believe that someone so young, active and healthy could have cancer." He immediately wanted to do something to raise money, but also help his friend feel better during his arduous chemotherapy treatments. "I had heard that cancer patients' lips and skin can get very dry from treatments, so I thought making a lip balm would be a great idea," Harry said.
So, with the help of their family, the Bennett brothers began researching ingredients, testing recipes and hand-producing all-natural, vegan and chemical-free lip and body balm products. A family friend, who is a graphic designer, created a logo for their brand, called "Bennett Brothers Balm." Then they designed labels and packaging, and their parents helped them set up a website and social media accounts. Next, Harry and his brother were ready to start marketing. Most of their sales are made at craft shows and special events, such as 5K races and cancer fundraisers; the products are also available at a local salon, a yoga studio and on Etsy. So far, Bennett Brothers Balm has raised more than $5,300 to help find a cure for Hodgkin's lymphoma. "We felt this work was important because friends help friends," said Harry. "It's just what you do."
For Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallion graphics, please visit https://spirit.prudential.com/resources/media