Thank you to the youth of Albany.
On the Friday before Father's Day, teens from schools across greater Albany voluntarily worked together at Tawasentha Park to help orphaned children. The event, called Nervosity, brought out 900-plus teens and 10 youth bands to help Forgotten Voices, a Pennsylvania-based ministry that equips local churches in southern Africa to meet the needs of children orphaned by AIDS. We have benefitted from the event since 2008.
Your region's incredible students worked hard, shattering the commonly accepted tenor of our day about the laziness of youth. These students were knee deep in mud, jump roped with real eels, and were dunked in pickle juice — all to help children we know yet they will likely never meet. They dug deep into their own pockets — raising more than $6,000. One student gave away all the money he had saved to buy his first car.
Special thanks to Christ Church of the Capital District, especially Pastor Jonathan Hentrich and his wife, Ashley. They birthed Nervosity 10 years ago and, now, as one teen told us, "it is the greatest day of the year. It's fun to help people." Nervosity teaches us creative compassion rests deep in all people, regardless of age.
Ryan Keith
President, Forgotten Voices, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Alex Waardenburg
Volunteer director for students, Forgotten Voices, Mechanicsburg, Pa.