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January 14, 2005/Tevet 4 5765, Vol. 57, No. 20
Just like the ark
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
There is a lot of talk these days about the apathy seen in today's generation of young adults.
But don't tell Dennis Fries that.
The Chandler teen is anything but apathetic. He has demonstrated his compassion by creating "Operation Noah," a stuffed-animal collection drive that aims to give comfort to the ill children in seven local hospitals, including Phoenix Children's Hospital; Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, Shea and Thunderbird; Chandler Regional Hospital; and Banner Desert Medical Center.
Fries got the idea for the project when he was in the hospital in July for a colonoscopy. A nurse had given him a stuffed animal that he found great comfort in.
When Fries found out there was only one stuffed toy left at the hospital where he was staying, he decided to act - thus "Operation Noah" was born.
Drop boxes for the toys have been set up throughout the Valley, including at the 13-year-old's school, Anderson Junior High.
And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Areyvut, a New York-based nonprofit organization that seeks to integrate the values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (social justice) into the lives of Jewish youth, awarded Fries with the top prize in its recent essay contest for mitzvah projects - Fries became a bar mitzvah Oct. 16, 2004.
"From firsthand experience, I have learned that a hospital can be a pretty scary place for kids," Fries wrote in his essay. "It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I have eased other children's fears."
His winnings include a $180 giving certificate, which he can donate to a Jewish community organization, a "Schlock Rock" CD collection - "Those are really nice," Fries says - as well as the chance to be on a panel to discuss his project.
But the real reward for Fries is actually seeing how his efforts, and the animals he collects, are received.
"I go in (to the hospitals) and hand them to some of the patients," Fries says. "It's really great to see the smiles on their faces."
Overall, Fries has collected more than 3,500 stuffed animals and continues to expand the program
For more information or to contribute, e-mail OperationNoah@cox.net.
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