Max Hess, 2020

Hi! I'm Max, and this is my fourth year as a fundraising volunteer in the Jewish Teen Philanthropy Board, known officially as the Hamsa Fund. After serving a year as a Co-Chair responsible for administering the Hamsa Fund and facilitating Board meetings, I'm serving my final year as a Senior Advisor, training our newer members in fundraising and communication techniques. This role is important to me because it's an opportunity for me to teach young people to stand up for their values and make a difference in the world, just as I do as a teen educator at my congregation's religious school. Empowering new generations to make a difference is what education is all about.

As I prepare for the next step in my own education, I'm reminded of the millions of American kids who are deprived of the educational opportunities I take advantage of every day. As hard as it is to apply to college (it's one of the hardest things I've ever done), it's infinitely more difficult for people who don't have access to rigorous college-preparatory education, extracurricular programs, and application coaching. Fortunately, I've been blessed with a stable household, a safe and accommodating public school system, and the financial capacity to attend whichever university I like, but it's important for our society to provide for people who don't have these privileges.

Since this concern is shared by all of my fellow students on the Board, we've made it our mission to raise as much money as we can over the next few months for nonprofit organizations that promote equal access to education by helping students to overcome personal, social, and economic barriers to learning.

Please donate whatever amount you are able to contribute. I'm donating $100 this year. If 18 others join me in donating, I'll meet my goal in no time. Your donation is tax-deductible as it is received exclusively by nonprofit public-benefit organizations as cited in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Thank you for joining me in working to make the world a better place!