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ROTTERDAM
Volunteer, 14, cited for his efforts at club
Award donated to Boys & Girls Club
BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net

    Fourteen-year-old Benjamin Marshall of Rotterdam said he was quite surprised to find out that he was the national runner-up for the Taco Bell Foundation’s teen hero award.
    “I was just like, ‘Whoa, that’s pretty awesome,’ ” he said.
    Benjamin, who is an eighth-grader at Schalmont Middle School, volunteers with the Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club. He hangs out with kids after school and helps clean up after activities.
    “My mom works at the Boys and Girls Club, so I am there every day. Whenever they need help, they can pretty much count on me,” he said.
    Julie McKane, program director for the club, said she nominated Benjamin because he is an active participant in the organization.
    “He is always volunteering for things like opening the computer lab or helping out in the game room. If you ask him to help carry something or unload something, he’s always willing to do something — no questions asked,” she said.
    The club puts on a large Halloween party and for the last few years, instead of having fun with his friends, Benjamin has been helping to run one of the carnival games in the gymnasium.
    She described Ben as a very “outgoing and caring” person, as well as a great student. “He really cares a lot about other people’s feelings and helping others,” she said.
    Benjamin has been a member for about eight years and volunteering for the last three years.
    For winning the award, Benjamin received a $5,000 grant to donate to the charity of his choice. He selected the Boys & Girls Club. His mother teaches pottery there and he believes the money should go to build up the organization’s arts department.
    “I just like seeing the club get better,” he said.
    This summer, he will be a counselor in training for the club. He is looking forward to spending time with his friend, who will have the same position.
    Benjamin, who is considering a career in medical science, said he enjoys giving back to the community.
    “It gives me something to do. It stops me from going to my house and sleeping all day and playing video games,” he said.

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No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.