When fifth grader Jason Goldstein’s gifted program assigned him a community service project to benefit oceans, marine life, or beaches, he talked with his parents about how he would like to do something about the oil spill.
“The ocean is really in trouble right now,” said Jason. “I wanted to help out.”
Jason, who lives in Clearwater, Florida, searched online for charities focused on the oil spill. He found the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund, administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. He read an NPR interview with someone impacted by the spill, and he emailed the Greater New Orleans Foundation for more information on the Fund. The Goldsteins already had a connection to New Orleans because Jason’s mother, Eve, is a musician who studied at Tulane. Jason decided that his project would be a fundraiser to benefit the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
“My little sister had a violin recital, so my brother and I asked permission to have a bake sale outside,” said Jason. “I sold brownies, lemonade, water and soda, and I also donated ten dollars of my own money.”
In less than three hours, Jason had exceeded his goal of raising $75.
“We’re all so upset about what’s happening in the Gulf,” said Jason’s father, Warren. “I hope this will help.”
