Hats Off To Local Teen

What started out as his mitzvah (good deed) project for his Bar Mitzvah in 2016, local teen Andrew Steiner, of Springfield, NJ has been collecting hats for NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation) and sending them off to the NAAF National Convention each year.

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body. It affects as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S. according to the NAAF website.

Even though it initially started as his project, Andrew has continued on for the last four years - tirelessly collecting hats so that he can ship them off to the conference each year. The hats are displayed and any child or adult is welcome to take one. This year, his hairdresser Angela even helped him collect hats so that he could send more!

Not only do people feel that it's a special gift to get one of Andrew's hats at the conference, but the practical side is - it helps fight the cold air conditioning in the hotel/conference center. They also conduct a fundraising walk during the conference (the tortoise and the hair walk) and the new hat also helps protect those with patchy hair loss protect their head from the sun.

Returning children light up when they see the new hats, as they have worn out their previous hat and feel it's even more special to get one from the conference each year. And that's what keeps Andrew going.

His generous spirit has been noticed by the NAAF in the form of emails they receive from attendees who are so appreciative and how his small gesture makes an immeasurable impact. And they have recognized him by publishing his letter in their magazine (pictured above).

His thoughtfulness didn't stop there... Andrew has also collected hats for the Valerie Fund in memory of friend/classmates that have lost their battle with cancer.

So, if you see Andrew around town...go ahead and "tip your hat" to him and his generosity!