Aspen High School junior sets a goal for Haiti
The Aspen Times
Aspen CO Colorado
ASPEN – Whenever Aspen High School junior Garrett Goldsmith writes his college essay, he’ll have some strong material to use.
Goldsmith, 16, is the architect of Goals For Haiti, a fundraiser for the poverty-stricken Caribbean country. A member of his high school hockey team, Goldsmith is accepting donations that will hinge on the Skiers’ offensive performance for the season. For example, if someone pledges $1 a goal and the Skiers score 50 times this season, that means $50 for Goals for Haiti.
Goldsmith’s original goal was to raise at least $2,500 this year – that’s the cost of building a home for a Haitian family.
“So far we’ve already raised enough money,” he said.
But Goldsmith, whose 3-3 Skiers play Friday and Saturday at the Lewis Ice Arena at Aspen Recreation Center, isn’t resting on his mission simply because it’s been satisfied. With 10 games remaining on the regular-season schedule, Goldsmith is optimistic that he can raise enough funds to build one, two or even three more houses.
“Everybody thought that this would be extremely hard but it’s easier than I thought it would be,” said Goldsmith, who designed the website goalsforhaiti.com, as well as its logo. He also visited with members of the Aspen Rotary Club, and drew the support of his teammates, who have also chipped in by not only scoring goals, but seeking donations.
He’s never been to Haiti, which was pummeled by a massive earthquake two years ago this month.
But it was before the earthquake hit, about three years, ago, when he watched the documentary about the plight of Haiti – “The Road to Rondwa” – that struck a nerve.
“I was shocked to see the kind of poverty it has,” he said. “Growing up living in Aspen, I didn’t get much exposure to the outside world.”
Goldsmith later reached out to Frank McKinney, founder of the Caring House Project Foundation, about setting up a fundraiser. With McKinney’s tutorship, Goldsmith came up with the Goals For Haiti concept. Goldsmith’s father Frank has helped as well.
As for any pressure to score more goals this season, the younger Goldsmith seems to be taking it in stride.
“We just play our game,” he said.
To learn more about Goals For Haiti, visit http://www.goalsforhaiti.com or email Goldsmith at garrett@goalsforhaiti.com. Details about the Caring House Project Foundation are available at http://www.chpf.rog.
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