Adam Hornstine
Moorestown, NJ

Two years ago, Adam Hornstine organized a club at Moorestown High School called Moorestown Alliance for Goodwill and Interest in the Community; M.A.G.I.C. for short. The club's purpose is to increase awareness and activity to meet the needs of the elderly, disabled, and financially challenged. Adam built a working relationship between M.A.G.I.C. and Camden, developing projects worthy of his club's lofty goals.

Adam contacted organizations in the city, including Christmas in April, the Food Bank of South Jersey, the Enpowerment Committee of Camden, Cooper Landing Civic Association, and local public officials. Eventually, under Adams's leadership, M.A.G.I.C. raised the volunteer labor and the financial resources to perform three home renovations in 1996 and 1997, including painting, carpentry, and landscaping.

In 1997, Adam wrote to all 374 schools in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties to organize a student food drive. Eventually, 25 schools and 8,000 students participated, collecting 8,000 lbs. of food. And on "Make A Difference Day" in 1997, M.A.G.I.C. reclaimed a vacant lot in Camden, transforming it into a playground for local children. Over 150 volunteers participated.

Adam is the only student on the board of Christmas in April, and in 1997 received a national grant from DO SOMETHING for his community service projects. And as a diligent club leader, he continues to write letters to local businesses and professionals, asking them to sponsor M.A.G.I.C. projects.

Adam has used planning and communication to focus concerned people towards meeting worthwhile goals. He understands how to leverage support and knows that when M.A.G.I.C. undertakes a project, it encourages others to contribute, to become involved, to become active.

Of lasting impact, Adam's skill at moving intangible ideals into reality, and at organizing and motivating people with patience and persistence, has enabled students at Moorestown High School to reach out and serve, an activity most of them, hopefully, will remobilize again and again throughout their lives.