When 12-year-old Zachary Rink learned about the sheer number of homeless veterans in the U.S., many of whom are also suffering from untreated physical and mental issues, he was understandably saddened.
The news of the homelessness problem also struck a nerve with him, as it reminded him of his WWII vet neighbor, who had passed away recently.
A lot of 12-year-olds might feel powerless to take on a challenge like veteran homelessness. After all, the average middle-schooler lacks the resources to start their own business or build custom housing.
But Rink knew he had to do something, and he decided to go about it the old-fashioned way. He made some hot cocoa.
Rink created hot cocoa mix packages, complete with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, which were decorated to look like reindeer, making them perfect seasonal stocking stuffers. He sold them in town, raising $250 for veterans.
This was last year. This year, Rink's hot cocoa sales have expanded. He has help from his teachers and fellow students at school, as well as from a local Girl Scout troop and his family and friends.
And this year, they're aiming to raise way more than $250.
[H/T: NJ.com]
It's just not winter without hot cocoa, and 12-year-old Zachary Rink was inspired to use the favorite cold-weather treat to help those in need, in particular, homeless veterans.
"We were learning about the homeless veterans and I just thought it was really sad that veterans had to live on the street like that," Rink says.
"I went home that day and asked my mom and dad, 'Can we make a hot chocolate stand?'"
His parents thought it was a great idea, and his mom, Vicki, even helped him come up with the idea for the reindeer cocoa packets.
She'd seen the idea on Pinterest, and knew it would make a great, affordable gift.
In 2015, when Rink started, he raised $250 for veterans in need. This year, he's looking to smash that record.
This year, he has the help of friends, family, teachers, and the local Girl Scouts to decorate and sell even more hot cocoa packages, and make even more money for homeless veterans.
"We knew we couldn't meet the demand because last year there were so many people asking for them," Rink's mother, Vicki, said.
"We vowed that this year we would make it bigger and better."
This year, the money is going to NHS Fresh Start, which has a housing program for homeless vets in Philadelphia, and helps them get re-acclimated to civilian life.
And this year, Rink's hot cocoa is well known. Here, Sgt. Joseph Rullo picks up some hot cocoa for his grandchildren. Rullo also spoke at this year's Veterans' Day celebration in town.
Rink was also incited to speak this Veterans' Day, and talked to the crowd about his inspiration to start his fundraiser.
Last year, he was invited to a breakfast ceremony hosted by NHS Fresh Start, where he got to see some of the people his funding helped.
Typically, the ceremony is reserved for those who donate $1,000 or more, but Rink's $250 made him the cut.
"I was really happy that they invited me. I guess they were touched that someone my age would donate money to veterans," he says.
Rink's community, including the veterans, have all expressed their support of the fundraiser, and Rick says he plans on continuing it next year.
"They say it's just really good," he says. "I feel like they are proud of me since I've been going through with this. At the breakfast they asked me if I was going to do this again and I said, 'Oh yes, I'm going to do this again!'"
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