Youth in Focus

By RICHARD A. ROSS

Teen volunteer extraordinaire

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Monticello High School junior Lee Karasik is the recipient of the American Red Cross of New York’s 2003 Empire State High School Volunteer Award. Immediately following the September 11 tragedy, Karasik contacted the Orange/Sullivan Chapter of the American Red Cross to volunteer his time and efforts. (Click for larger image)

MONTICELLO, NY — Lee Karasik, a junior at Monticello High School, has cerebral palsy, but the teen disavows any notion of being disabled.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, to disable is “to make incapable or ineffective.” Such adjectives do not apply to Karasik in any way, shape or form.

“My disability doesn’t stop me from doing things. I’m your typical teen,” said Karasik. His self-effacing description understates his vibrant intensity, unity of purpose and lengthy list accomplishments in the realm of volunteerism.

In fact, Karasik is the antithesis of the word “typical.”

Following the attacks of September 11, Karasik made a call to Bette Popovich, director of the Sullivan County chapter of the American Red Cross. “I felt the need to give back to my community,” he said. In no time he was hard at work, doing administrative tasks, completing Red Cross training classes in CPR with Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid.

Passionate to learn as much as he could and to share knowledge and help others, Karasik went on to take courses in emergency preparedness, disaster preparedness, mass care, logistics and shelter operations. According to Popovich, “Lee has become a strong leader in recruiting Red Cross volunteers to participate in outreach activities and training classes. He has played an important role in disaster preparedness, working with a local Red Cross response team to help recruit disaster volunteers to serve on call at times when there were threats of storms or floods.”

Karasik’s tireless efforts recently earned him the American Red Cross of New York’s 2003 Empire State High School Volunteer Award at the state Red Cross conference on November 5 in Syracuse, NY. This came on the heels of Karasik winning the American Red Cross in Greater New York’s 2003 Youth Services Award in June 2003.

Karasik, who lives in Kauneonga Lake with his mother Mona, father Steve and dog Buddy, is proud of the awards but puts them in perspective.

“I don’t do this for the awards, but it’s nice to be recognized,” he said.

Karasik’s volunteerism extends to toy drives, book drives and food drives. “When you call people and tell them you have toys for their child, you realize that these efforts are gratefully received,” he said.

He also serves as the youth liason with local school officials, bringing them information on such Red Cross programs as “Facing Fear” and CPR/AED training. Recently, Karasik was instrumental in certifying 18 Monticello students in CPR, and 78 Monticello Central School District bus drivers in CPR for the professional rescuer.

A fine student, Karasik is currently taking the principles of engineering course taught by Chris Corwin and Kelly Wager. “We’re building a bridge that will be subjected to a bridge crusher to determine its strength,” Karasik said.

Building bridges and facing up to the demanding pressure of life seem to be metaphors for Karasik’s chosen line of work.

“I’m definitely interested in pursuing a career in the Red Cross,” he said. Asked what he would say to teens expressing an interest in doing volunteer work for the Red Cross, Karasik smiled and said, “It’s a great organization and a wonderful chance to meet so many different kinds of people.”

While he is only 16 years old, Karasik seems to have realized his purpose in life. He hopes other teens will discover something equally meaningful.

“Do something good with your life. Go out there and make a difference,” he said.

This week’s youth in focus is doing just that.