By Aaliyah Collins, AAP Intern
Andrew Passalacqua, a 17-year-old junior at Bishop Eustace Preparatory High School in Pennsauken, needed six hours’ worth of community service as a class requirement. He aimed to take his mandatory assignment to a higher level, turning his service into a potential non-profit organization, Crayons for Courts.
“I wanted to do something bigger. I wanted to make a big impact on my community,” said Andrew.
Passalacqua’s mother works in a courthouse as a judge. One day, he was given the opportunity to accompany her to a courtroom to experience a legal proceeding. The last thing he expected to observe was a young child sitting between their parents as they argued back and forth.
“It was very saddening to see. I felt awful,” explained Passalacqua. “It stuck with me. And I can only imagine that it probably stuck with that kid too.”
Deeply sympathetic and longing to make a change, Passalacqua created an Instagram page, where he raised awareness for the issue. There, he collected donations to later bring crayons, stickers, coloring books, and activity books to courtrooms. Andrew hopes to relieve some of the stress and anxiety of children caused by watching their loved ones in a dispute or just sitting in a courtroom in general.
With the help of the Instagram page, as well as flyers that he shared with his school and community, Passalacqua was able to earn close to $3,000 for Crayons for Courts. He then placed well over 5,000 coloring and activity books, 6,000 crayons, 2,000 activity sheets and a number of sticker pads in the Camden County Hall of Justice Courthouse.
This is only the beginning for Passalacqua. He is currently in the process of expanding Crayons for Courts into courtrooms all throughout the State of New Jersey.
“I would say if you had an idea, definitely pursue it,” encouraged Passalacqua. “Definitely go out and try to make a difference in your community.”
Andrew continues to collect donations to provide art supplies to kids who are waiting at the courthouse during legal matters. To learn more, or to donate funds, visit @crayons_for_courts on Instagram.
