The New Hampshire teenagers who started Good Earth project say their inspiration is the desire to make a difference.

By Sarah Beldo
July, 2009

Some adults may say that young people are not interested in helping others, but you couldn't make that claim about the founders of Good Earth [1].

In 2005, Brandon Hamel and Ryan Curtis started the nonprofit group out of Laconia, New Hampshire as a way to give back to their community and reach out to those in need.

Originally, the inspiration [2] for the project was to provide funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Motivated by this success, the group created a garden for a woman who was diagnosed with ALS which became known as the Garden of Hope.

In 2007, Good Earth helped send mosquito nets to Africa to help protect families from malaria and it also takes part in regular clean-ups of nearby rivers and lakes.

Perhaps the most major event of the year is the annual Good Earth Walk-a-thon and Race, which takes place on September 20 this year. In the past four years, the organization has raised more than $13,600, with most of the funds going to a local children's auction.

"Good Earth has achieved many of its goals and believes in enriching the lives of others who are in need," the founders say.