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Greenwich Teens Collect Cash to Help Wounded Vets

Luke Bienstock and Victor Simonte stood outside the Greenwich Avenue Starbucks collecting donations and handing out pamphlets for the Wounded Warrior Project. The money will pay for backpacks with items to make soldiers’ hospital stay more comfortable. “We just made $30 in the past 10 minutes, so I think we’re doing pretty well,” said Bienstock, a seventh-grade student at Greenwich Country Day School.

The boys and over 20 other middle and high school teens make up Greenwich Teens Support the Troops. They have been collecting donations at various locations on Greenwich Avenue for the past two weeks. Last Saturday, the boys said they collected $5,300, in addition to $7,000 raised online. They hope to take in $15,000 for Wounded Warrior Project Backpacks, which contain clothing, toiletries, calling cards and playing cards.

“We thought it was a great cause, and the more I heard about what soldiers were going through, the more I wanted to help,” said Simonte.

The project’s mission is to honor and empower wounded soldiers. To date, over 40,000 members of the U.S. armed forces have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Just thinking that there are people giving their lives to protect our freedoms, and most people don’t repay them, made me want to give back,” said Bienstock.

The teens’ fundraising efforts are the kickoff to the fourth annual Greenwich Supports the Troops Benefit, which will be held at the Belle Haven Club on Saturday, May 21. To purchase tickets, visit the Greenwich Supports the Troops Website.

Do you know an American serviceman or woman who was wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan? Please tell us about him or her or leave a comment on Facebook.

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