Nagashima: Born to Give

This week’s Whiz Kid is Danvers High School senior Andy Nagashima. Nagashima has worked at the Tokyo Frost Valley Japanese summer camp in upstate New York, graduated from the Japanese Language School of Greater Boston, plays basketball and baseball and is an artist and disc jockey, all while earning straight As in school and holding a part-time job.

This honors student and co-president of DECA has a higher calling, also. Along with three of his peers, he helped found an umbrella charity to assist local families who were struck by sudden tragic circumstances.

The charity — JAM’D, which is an acronym of the founder’s names, raises money through charitable sporting events in which anyone who wishes to be involved can volunteer, compete or donate. Two such families who have been helped are the Merciers and Bekels. CJ Mercier was permanently brain damaged several years ago in a bicycle accident, while the Bekel family suffered the loss of father Bill and son Steven in a car accident.

“Myself and the other founders of JAM’D started doing these fundraisers as a heartfelt response to hearing about the tragic circumstances of our close neighbors, classmates and friends,” explained Nagashima. 

“Planning each event involves contacting local business for donations, meeting with the owners of the facility which we wish to use, properly allocating our funds, publicizing the event and planning out the specific events of the fundraiser,” he said. “Executing the event itself is the fun part. Everyone involved is...motivated, works hard and [is] ultimately excited to just be helping out for a great cause.”

Nagashima says the JAM’D Committee is open and willing to receive help from anyone.

To date, the foundation has raised about $9,000. That money went to help with medical bills for Mercier, while the Bekel family will be using the funds to start a memorial scholarship in their loved ones’ names.

Whiz Kid’s Name: Andy Nagashima

Whiz Kid’s School: Danvers High School Senior

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Co-founder of JAM’D

Whiz Kid's Advice: “Don’t doubt yourself. Deep down, if you feel a desire to help a cause, or make a positive change, trust your instincts. It is hard to advocate for your own beliefs, especially if you fear that it isn’t worthwhile or that people will judge you,” says Nagashima. “Anyone who has gone through middle and high school understands these feelings. But, if you surround yourself with people you trust who share your same beliefs, there won’t be anything in your way to slow down your inner drives.”

Whiz Kid’s Keys to Success: “In almost everything I do, I am motivated by two things: first, although it is a cliché, I truly feel an obligation to give back to my community. As I am graduating and going off to college, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my life here in Danvers.

“This town has given my family a safe place to live, great schools for me to learn in, tons of ways to stay out of trouble and have fun and a sincere community of neighbors who are always there for one another.

“With this in mind, I like to think of my community service work as my repayment to the town that has already given me so much. Never take that for granted.

“Secondly, I see every moment of my life as a learning experience. Everything I do, whether it is leisurely, educational or community service, teaches me something about myself and the world around me.

“With each experience, I take what I have learned and I am always more than happy to share these learning experiences with those around me,” said Nagashima.