Levittown Student Helps AIDS/HIV Research for His Birthday

Levittown student Matthew Hartman, a second-grade student at Abbey Lane Elementary School, has been making the most of his birthday.

At his parties, he asks friends to consider donating money to a charity of his choosing, instead of bringing him presents. Last year Matthew selected Sloan Kettering, and this year’s selection was the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation. The foundation raises money and awareness to find a cure for AIDS and to fund research to benefit those already living with HIV/AIDS.

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In addition, the foundation supports those living with brain cancer, provides food, shelter and shoes for orphans in Kenya and raises awareness about the 11,400,000 orphans living in sub-Saharan Africa who need vaccinations, clean drinking water, education and clothing.

Matthew learned about the foundation after his mother ran in the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation 5K Run and received additional information about the foundation from pediatrician Dr. Richard Sartori, who works with the foundation to provide medical care to Kenyans.

Mr. Brodsky was touched by Matthew’s generosity and decided to donate toys to a place of his choice. Matthew decided he wanted to help those who were less fortunate in his own school community. In March, Mr. Brodsky appeared at Abbey Lane with his car completely filled with toys. Boxes upon boxes of toys were unpacked and stored and will be distributed to make birthdays and holidays a little brighter for needy community children.

“It is truly amazing to see how Matthew’s act of generosity and kindness started a chain reaction that helps so many people, both locally and around the world,” Principal Dr. George Maurer said. “We are very proud of Matthew.”

Submitted by Levittown Schools

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