Lemon-Aid for the Hospital
by Zoë Kirsch
'Tis the season to be giving! True, it's not holiday time just yet. But for junior altruists Matthew Schnitzer (11), Malcolm (11), James (9), and Olivia Nash (6), long-time visitors of Nantucket, acts of goodwill aren't limited to the month of December.
Nash generosity tradition all began when James got an injury and had to go to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH) to get stitches. “They were so nice,” explains James, “that I wanted to pay them back because they help people on Nantucket!” His older brother Malcolm adds wisely that, “They probably need it a lot more than we do.” Since that first contribution, James and his siblings have made it a habit to donate to the NCH.
So on a bright August day, the Nash family, along with their friend Matthew, made a stop at the hospital to give away $77 in hard-earned, Lemonade-Stand cash- “We made a record” laughs James happily.
Setting up the lemonade stand was Malcolm's idea, says James. The kids strategically placed their commerce on the Polpis bike path. “We set up there, and all the bikers came,” Malcolm details. They charged fifty cents per cup of lemonade, and thanks to the generosity of the Nantucket community, it took the children only an hour-and-a-half to raise a hefty sum.
Malcolm, Olivia, James, & Matthew give their donation to Chuck Gifford.
Incidentally, Matthew Schnitzer, a resident of Manhattan who, like the Nash’s, spends lots of time on Nantucket, inspired that family to take action in the world of benefaction. “Two years before,” says Malcolm, “Matthew came up with the idea to give to a school in China. That really inspired us this time.”
The children's gift will go towards NCH operations. When a gift is given, the donor can specify how she wants it used. If she doesn't, the gift goes into the Hospital's general fund.
At the Hospital, “Philanthropy is everything,” says Kate Splaine, Community Relations Coordinator at the NCH. Adds Chuck Gifford, Director of Community Relations and Marketing for the hospital, “Giving is totally important to us. We're a non-profit hospital, so we rely upon philanthropy to help us get close to closing the gap between what we get reimbursed by third party payers and costs of running the hospital. Every single gift that we get is incredibly important to us.”
Tips they’d give other kids who want to make a big difference with a little time? “I'd say…” Malcolm considers the question, “Definitely tell everyone if you're giving the money to charity. That way, they will often stop, even if they're not thirsty. Also, find a place where pedestrians/ bikers will come.”
Splaine was nearby when the children delivered their gift. Stirred, she took the photo printed here. “To see such young people so obviously proud, and happy, and enjoying participating in philanthropy...it does your heart good. If you learn to give that young, you always have that knowledge with you. You live with it for your life.”
Certainly, these young philanthropists will have a love of giving for life. “Personally, I'd like to give again in the future,” says James. “I’d love to,” Malcolm agrees. “It’s such a good feeling once you've given it that you want to do it again and again.”
