Seven high school students from Gwinnett County are learning about the business world while raising money to fight cancer.
The students are the driving force behind the nonprofit Taste the Charity Inc.
Last week the group said they raised at least $10,000 at Taste of Gwinnett, the charity event they organized. Over 1,000 people attended with 30 restaurants participating.
“We’re so excited about this first year. Gwinnett is so supportive of our student leaders. Everybody wants to help us,” said Sunil Reddy, chief executive officer of Taste the Charity. “There is so much diversity in Gwinnett and so much potential, we are convinced this event will grow like crazy.”
Taste the Charity emerged after the 2017 Relay for Life of Gwinnett was cancelled due to bad weather.
Reddy wanted to do something that would uplift the community and help Relay for Life, according to the group’s website.
Growing up with taste events all around him, the senior decided on the Taste of Gwinnett. He needed a name to operate under and Taste the Charity came to mind, according the website.
“We started out making calls, networking and meeting new people,” said Daniela Uribe, the group’s chief management officer.
From there, the project took off, said Uribe, who wants to study electrical engineering in college next year.
Reddy and Uribe attend Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville.
Both agree working for nonprofit is about making connections.
“It’s fun to get involved,” said Reddy, who was wants to work in the public service sector and study business in college. “Cancer touches us all. We are helping improve the community.”
Taste the Charity’s mission is “to improve student leadership and always learn something new,” he said. “I have found I love networking.”
The other members in the group include: Ryan Lynch and Chelsea Yangnouvong, from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology; Shivani Desai and James Lee who attend Peachtree Ridge; and Gideon Tesfaye, a dual enrollment student at Georgia State University.
With the first year’s success of Taste of Gwinnett behind him, Reddy said, “I’m really looking forward to coming back in 15 to 20 years and seeing how it has grown. This has really been a rewording experience.”
Who’s doing good?
Each Sunday, we write about a deserving individual, charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event or person for us to cover, contact us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
