2014 Award Recipient
MaxineHarvey
Project Debbie's Treasure Chest
Project Debbie's Treasure Chest
Maxine 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 the 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.