Maxine Harvey

Methuen, MA | 18

2014 Award Recipient

Maxine Harvey experienced first-hand the transformative power an individual can make in another’s life when she was adopted from China by a single mother in Massachusetts. Grateful for love and caring she felt, Maxine wanted to help other children who were given a similar chance for a new beginning. Every year, she looked forward to her family’s annual Chanukah party, during which toys were collected for local foster children. Maxine couldn’t wait until she could create a project of her own. As a teen, Maxine co-founded Debbie’s Treasure Chest, a project that collects and raises funds to purchase clothes, toys, books, and toiletries for local families in need. Maxine has successfully grown Debbie’s Treasure Chest by closely collaborating with her local social services office to impact even more children and their families. The nonprofit now operates year-round in a 3,000 square foot warehouse, which has provided 1,500 families with more than 75,000 necessities. (Maxine expanded to a larger warehouse upon receiving the Tikkun Olam Award). Maxine’s younger sister and co-founder, Talia Harvey, age 14, is excited to have taken on a larger role in Debbie’s Treasure Chest now that Maxine is in college.