GLA GAMECHANGERS
ZACHARY APPEL
Global Leadership Adventures alumnus Zachary Appel was featured in the New York Times for his incredible community service project and fundraising effort. He also scored articles in the Washington Post as well as the Associated Press showcasing his initiative.
A Star Alumnus
Zachary Appel is exactly the kind of high school student you want on your side in a moment of crisis.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with outbreaks raging and mass lock-downs in effect, there were clear and immediate repercussions. Businesses closed. People laid off from their jobs. Families not having the resources to put food on the table.
Zach, not only an ambitious student but also a talented lacrosse player, saw the issue and asked himself, against immeasurable odds, what can I do to help?
"This is such a hard time. I needed to help out somehow. I wanted to combine something I love and help people."
When I reached out to Zach for comment, this is how he formulated a solution to one of the many the challenges he saw his community confronting.
“Thousands of people in Contra Costa County, California are food insecure or are unable to leave their homes to get food from the grocery store. When COVID started, many people lost their jobs and could no longer afford to buy food. By creating Lacrosse Against Hunger, I was able to continue playing lacrosse – a sport I love – in a safe way, while raising money for White Pony Express, an amazing organization that provides fresh, healthy meals to people in Contra Costa County, many who are hungry or must stay at home.”
Alumni Bio
Name: Zachary Appel
Hometown: Lafayette, CA
Education: Acalanes High School
Passions and Interests: Lacrosse and Soccer
Transformational GLA Experience: Online Leadership Academy
Instagram: @_zachappel
GLA Gamechangers
ALUMNI OF MERIT
Changing the Game
In expressing his excitement to me about getting kids in the community enthusiastic about his favorite sport and teaching them the basics, Zach felt it was only made better by the opportunity to pay it forward to White Pony Express and the fight against hunger.
Zach used strategic thinking to fill two important needs in the community through a single initiative:
- Tackle a lack of youth sports instruction during the pandemic by providing lacrosse training to kids in the community
- Raise funds through this effort to support White Pony Express and fight hunger in the community
That’s an impressive feat for anyone, let alone a young person who should normally be enjoying the ins and outs of typical high school life: classes, hanging out with friends, extracurriculars.
And Zach also learned a critical lesson in all of this, which is to rely on others, especially your friends, when you’re out to do good in the world. So he teamed up with his friend Owen to make this idea into a reality.
To-date, Zach and Owen’s initiative has raised over $3,300, which should supply funds for over 3,000 meals.
Making an Impact
Launched Lacrosse Against Hunger, a social action project designed to offer lacrosse coaching sessions for 7-14 year-olds in return for charitable donations to White Pony Express, an anti-hunger and anti-poverty nonprofit organization, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Zach and his co-founder Owen have raised over $3,300 toward their cause. You can read more about Zach’s story in the New York Times, the Washington Post and AP News.
GLA Gamechangers
ALUMNI OF MERIT
Past and Future Inspiration
Zach’s grandmother, who unfortunately passed away this year after a long battle with cancer, was one of his key inspirations for giving back. Seeing how she couldn’t leave the house because of her ailment, gave him empathy and a new perspective once COVID struck.
“My grandma was so committed to social justice and equity and helping others in need – she is one of the main reasons I started Lacrosse Against Hunger. I wanted to do something to help people like her during the COVID pandemic.”
Zach’s community is proud of the work he’s done and the example he and his friend Owen set for others to follow.
Before we wrapped up, I just had to ask Zach this. What one piece of advice would you give other teenagers who are looking to make a meaningful difference in their community, but don’t know where to start?
"Just DO IT! It’s not hard – come up with an idea, ask a friend and a parent to help you get started, and just make it happen. You can do it!"
Zach is a Global Leadership Adventures alumnus from our 2020 Online Leadership Academy. He hopes to travel with GLA to Costa Rica in the near future. We wish Zach the best of luck in all his future endeavors, and dedicate this article in honor of his grandmother.
If you wish to donate toward Zach’s cause, visit his Go Fund Me page for Lacrosse Against Hunger.
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