Lynbrook South Middle School eighth grader Raymond Mohler, Jr. was named the Lynbrook Public Schools Volunteer of the Year in the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.
Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Spirit of Community Awards recognize outstanding community service by young Americans. Mohler is now eligible to be considered for the New York Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards. Two state honorees, one middle level and one high school student, will be named in February.
Raymond and his family founded the Little Saint Nick Foundation in 2003 when he was only five years old. He experienced his own medical challenges when he was diagnosed with a rare hip disease at the age of four. Having to wear braces on both legs for only two years, Raymond felt that he was blessed and decided to give back to the sick children at the hospital who were not as fortunate to be coming home.
Little Raymond decided to donate half of his unwrapped holiday toys to the kids he left behind, thus planting the first seeds of the Little Saint Nick Foundation
Currently he and his family have donated over $250,000 worth of toys and entertainment centers to various hospitals. Raymond regularly leaves gift bags for sick children when he visits them in hospitals.
“Raymond Mohler, Jr. exudes character, and it is infectious throughout the school,” said Principal Margaret Ronai in praise of his extraordinary volunteer service.
For more info on the Little Saint Nick Foundation, visit their website.
