Sustainable support from Sussex County to South Africa
By Aimee Henkel |
 |
Mark Huelsenbeck and local musicians participating in Hands on the World Global. Photo by Aimee Henkel
|
SPARTA - Driving past New York’s Finest Italian Ices last Friday on Route 23 you might have seen an unlikely sight. College students, musicians and Italian ice lovers all joined together to help a small South African community support itself.
Mark Huelsenbeck, Sparta native and Columbia College student, organized the “Hands on the World” fundraiser and music festival featuring 12 local bands. The aim was to raise money for “Water Is Life,” a program that brings clean water to schools and villages in South Africa sponsored by Sparta-based grassroots organization, Hands on the World Global. The non-profit organization, started by children’s author Rachel Paulson, plans to bring fresh water to 10 schools in South Africa, one school at a time. They have already built wells and water pipelines for two schools.
Huelsenbeck, who studies sustainable development, has a deep interest in helping communities develop their own resources in an environmentally responsible way. “Before I got involved with Hands on the World Global, I was really only concerned with my community. Now, I know that I have to broaden my sphere of concern and find ways to create global cooperation or we will all go under. This is one way I thought I could help.”
He got the idea to hold the fundraiser just two weeks ago and decided to move quickly, posting flyers, creating posters and calling everyone he knew to come out and play. He knew his friends and employers at New York’s Finest would help. “I have a lot of faith in people coming together to help each other, so I called all my friends in local bands and asked them to help out.”
Huelsenbeck’s interest in Africa started when he accidentally walked into a workshop being held by children’s author Rachel Paulson at his junior high school. “I wasn’t supposed to be there, but I was. I felt really compelled to get involved, and so I ended up going to Africa. We installed a fresh-water pipeline and pump so a school in Carisbrooke, South Africa, can have fresh water, then we helped build them a greenhouse. I am so proud of that greenhouse, which actually won a regional award.”
During the festival, the musicians and Italian Ice lovers were asked to help paint a canvas that will be brought to a participating school in Africa. Huelsenbeck said, “The kids at the schools will get to see that we care about them, and that we want to help,” Huelsenbeck said. “The canvas will be a reminder to them that people in other places want to see them have success.”
John Ferraro, his wife Lynn and their toddler John Jr. live in Sparta and frequent New York’s Finest, but were surprised Friday to be treated to an outdoor concert. “This is our favorite place, and we saw the guys jamming. This is really a great thing, for young people to try and help others with music.”
|
Several local bands played, including Huelsenbeck’s band called She’s the Breeze, featuring Steve Zeija on vocals and guitar, Nick Greene on bass and Nile Lewis on drums. Other Sparta bands included Three Second Lead and the Sparta Philharmonic.
Now, in addition to being a student of sustainable development, Mark Huelsenbeck is also a quote collector. Posters with his favorite quotes decorated the Italian Ice store in honor of the fundraiser. His favorite is from President John F. Kennedy Jr., one Huelsenbeck says he tries to live by. ‘In this world, it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.’
|
Post a comment about this story. Be sure to include your name and email to submit a comment. Please note that email addresses are for internal use only and will not be displayed or shared. You can find a copy of our privacy policy in the terms of service link below.
I agree that I have read the Terms of Service and agree to abide by them.
Terms of Service
|
|
