Student Fundraiser Helps Save Wildlife

Matt Pierce ’11 was the topic of conversation for many reporters this summer, including an affiliate of NBC News, as he raised funds to help wildlife affected by the BP oil spill disaster in the U.S. Gulf region. A July 12 transcript from NBC-40 in Atlantic City reads, “…a Stone Harbor [N.J.] garage is the current headquarters for one growing, non-profit group with donors from all around the U.S. ‘All over the county, as far as California, Texas, Colorado, everywhere,’ said Pierce.

The news item added, “[His] garage is the humble nerve and shipping center of Teenagers Care, an organization that was created just a little over a month ago and has already raised close to $10,000…With the help of family and friends, the motivated teen, originally from Sarasota, Florida, collects donations online and ships fundraising T-shirts. All of this after he was saddened by crude images of oil-soaked birds emerging from the Gulf. ‘The first thing I saw were the terrible brown pelicans,’ said Pierce. He added, ‘I care. I wanted to make a difference in the world. I want to show that teenagers do care and want to help clean up the oil spill.’ The tech-savvy teen uses the Internet and social networking sites like Facebook to help get the word out. ‘You can raise awareness just like that, it can be so quick,’ said Pierce.”

The transcript also noted, “Pierce even produced a video with residents’ reaction to the spill that can be seen on YouTube as well as the organization’s website. The group’s site also has blogs and news feed. With all of this, Pierce feels like he has accomplished a lot at already but will keep on performing collections of his own. ‘It’s not just a one-time thing. We’re going to keep it going and keep fundraising so we can make a difference in the world,’ said Pierce. Teenagers Care proceeds are sent to Audubon societies in oil-affected areas.

Posted 7/27/2010

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