In South Jersey, a remarkable service project by a local high school student is making a significant impact on the lives of children who find themselves in the often intimidating environment of a courtroom. Andrew Passalacqua, a student at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, has dedicated himself to easing the anxiety of these young ones.

Transforming Courtrooms with Coloring Supplies

Launching a Mission to Soothe

Andrew Passalacqua's determination to make a difference was sparked a few years ago when he witnessed the stress on a child as young as five to seven years old inside a family courtroom. His mother is a judge, and this experience left a lasting impression on him. "I felt horrible for the kid. Those memories stay with you, whether you're five, six, or ten. Hearing your parents argue is upsetting, especially for a little one. It was just a horrible sight," he shared.

With this in mind, he launched Crayons for Courts, a project that has now raised nearly $3,000. This generous amount has allowed him to purchase over 6,000 packets of crayons, 3,000 coloring books, 2,000 activity books, and some stickers. These simple yet powerful tools are intended to bring a smile to the faces of the children and make their time in the courtroom a bit more bearable.

Delivering Hope to the Courthouse

On Tuesday afternoon, Passalacqua made a significant delivery. He brought the first Crayons for Courts donation to the Camden County Courthouse. This is just the beginning as he plans to turn this service project into a nonprofit, aiming to benefit the entire State of New Jersey. "If you have an idea, go do it. The worst that can happen is someone says no, and then you can think of something else," he encouraged.

By providing these coloring supplies, Passalacqua is not only helping the children cope with the stress of the courtroom but also giving them a sense of normalcy and a moment of distraction. In a place where emotions can run high, these simple acts of kindness can have a profound impact on a child's well-being.