Most 7th graders spend their summer enjoyingthe abundance of free time and typical summer activities . Not the case with 12-year-old Maxwell Sarkissian , a7th grader at Eisenhower MiddleSchool in Wyckoff , who decided to make his summerabit more interesting and meaningful by helpingothers . He startedabusinesscalled Max ’ s Helping Hands with the intenttohelp local neighbors with small projects , such as landscaping , lawn maintenance and mail collection , while away on vacation . However Sarkissian ’ s mission , and his small business , soon grew into abigger endeavor . Inaddition to helping out in his local community he also decided to take on raising funds for worthy causes and helpingthose less fortunate .
“ I knew Iwanted to start abusiness this past summerand thought that it would be agood idea to give back to kids
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who have less than me , since Ireally don ’ t need anything ,” Sarkissian says .
Inspired by his mother and grandmother , Sarkissian focusedonmaking a difference in Paterson . “ My mom works with the City of Paterson employees and has been helping them for many years , and Iknew , by going with her afew times to familiesthat we help there , that they do not have very much at all ,” he says . “ My grandmother , who grew up in Paterson , and was ateacher , suggested Igive to kids my age throughschool supplies . Ithought that was agood idea and something Icould do .”
Summer came to aclose , but Sarkissian ’ s business and mission continued to grow . Despite the demands of school , sports and religious and club activities , Sarkissian pushed forward doing all he could in his spare time .
His achievements did not go unnoticed and soon he gained the support of friends . “ I didn ’ t think Iwould get such agreat response ,” he says .“ Ihad no
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idea how many people would support me when Istarted . Iwas surprised . There was nothing negative that Iheard from anyone . Instead , people were very positiveand supportive . Sometimes they would pay me double , just because they knew Iwhat Iwas doing . Everyone was very nice and loved my idea .”
To date , Sarkissian has presented $ 500 worth of pens , pencils , notebooks , white boards and erasers to School No . 12 , aK-8 school in Paterson .
“ Shoppingfor all the suppliesand delivering them that day to the school , it made me feel like Idid something that made adifference ,” he says . “ I had no bumps in the road . It was just alot of work !”
PrincipalAndre S . McCollum Sr . gratefully accepted Sarkissian ’ s donation and said the items , many on his teachers ’ wish list for their students , would make their ability to teach that much easier . He also encouraged Sarkissian to continue his gooddeeds toward others and hoped this was just the beginning of his support to those in need .
“ I have not completely decided how Iamgoing to proceed . Iamthinking about asking the school for something they need that is big , for example , basketball hoops on their playground , and just aiming for that goal ,” Sarkissian says .
His advice for other kids is that everyone can take some initiative to help others .
“ Use your extra time in the summer to make adifference . Anyonecan do it . It made me feel that , even though Iam only 12 , you can still help other people , no matter how old you are ,” he says . “ Anyone can do it and we should . It is a good feeling .” ●
– DEIRDREFLANAGAN WARD
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COURTESY OF THE SARKISSIAN FAMILY |
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16 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017 | ( 201 ) FAMILY |
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