Fourth-Grader Uses Proceeds from Homemade Arcade to Help Others

Fourth-grader Max Lazarowitz woke his mother up one morning a few years ago and told her his idea for a summer project – build an arcade out of recycled materials.

Max had heard the story of Caine Monroy, who created an arcade out of recycled cardboard in his father’s Los Angeles car repair shop.

“I got cardboard boxes and my first few games, it was hard, but then it got easier because I was doing it more and more,” said Max, whose motto is “Little Kids Dreaming Big.”

Max took Caine’s idea a few steps further. He launched the arcade in his driveway in September 2016 and then had an event at First Village Coffee on Main Street. “Not only did he bring a lot of business here, he did something good for the community,” said Luis Corena, who owns the business with his wife, Kathryn.

Max collected more than $1,000 at the first event, which he donated to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital for games. The two times he opened at First Village – November 2016 and November 2017 – he raised money for new recess equipment at Brookside and Claremont schools.

“I wouldn’t want to keep it for myself because I know I wouldn’t have much to do with it,” he said. “I’m really happy and I’m thankful for what I have.”

In late November this year, Claremont hosted Max’s Arcade. He raised $1,400 in entry fees and donations and purchased all of the toys, clothing and books on the 11 wish lists he received from families the school had contacted (with a few extra gifts thrown in).

Ferzeen Shamsi, Claremont assistant principal, said the world could use more kids like Max, who is an inspiration to children and adults alike. “For someone so young to already know the gift that kindness brings is remarkable. He worked tirelessly to create an experience for his peers that brought them fun and joy,” she said.

“Beyond this, he thought of those in need by using his proceeds to deliver holiday wishes to our community. Most adults in their entire lifetime would not have impacted others with kindness in the way Max already has.”

For $5, people who visited the arcade received a “magic pass” that was good for unlimited games. Depending on how many points they earned while playing, they could win small, medium or big prizes. The prizes were all toys that Max already had, mostly from party goody bags, along with some donated by his friend Mia Peebles, who is in third grade. He now has 15 or 16 games, including pinball, basketball, a catapult and a prize “grabber” machine. Anne M. Dorner Middle School students helped with the arcade this year as part of their community service hours.

Max recently went shopping on Main Street in Ossining with his mother, Jessica Hauben, and some friends. He wore a red nylon bag full of the money around his neck and a Max’s Arcade shirt (with “Max the Maker” written on the back) as they shopped at toy store Penny & Ting. Afterward, they bought a few bags of clothing at Bob’s Army & Navy. They later bought many of the gifts at Laur-Lee Sports. The businesses gave discounts when they learned what Max was doing.

Max said shopping locally is important to him. “I want to support local businesses because for other places, like a big store, it might not really do much, but for a smaller store here in Ossining, it might be really big,” he said.

Max, Mia and friend Jack Sicard picked out sketchpads, lawn darts, a truck, a train set and other toys as they sought to fulfill Christmas wishes. Max kept a running tally of the total on the store computer, and they left with three bags full of gifts.

Jack, a fourth-grader at Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, said Max told him he’d like to drive around the country with the arcade games and raise money for causes in whatever state they visit. The boys and their families have been on two trips in a recreational vehicle in recent years.

Jack, who is good at getting kids excited about the event each year, said he’s happy to help out Max.

“You’re helping children and it makes them happy, and it’s really fun to see what everybody can do,” Jack said. “I’ve been a friend of Max’s for a while, so I would always do anything that he asked me to.”

Ms. Hauben said she’s proud of Max and the arcade has been a great experience for him. “Max is a humble, quiet kid and it’s pretty amazing to see how this has become a real leadership opportunity for him,” she said.