This column highlights the young people in our community who are making a difference with their creativity, passion, and leadership. 

At just 13 years old, Sam Crimaldi ’27 became Founder and President of the non-profit organization, Kids4Kids Relief. When Hurricane Ian hit South Florida in 2022, many families – including one of Sam’s close friends – lost their homes, belongings, and were displaced. After he saw this devastation, Sam realized how many people needed help and how much his community needed support. This passion for helping others is what led to the creation of Kids4Kids. 

Since its founding, Sam has led and participated in a wide variety of events, all designed to support families impacted by natural disasters. One of these events involved distributing prom dresses to teens who didn’t have access to them. 

Sam shared, “I gave out over a hundred prom dresses to people who ordinarily wouldn’t have them because of natural disasters.” 

Education is also a focus for Kids4Kids, and Sam described how he “helped tutor a girl in the SATs so she could get a scholarship and now she goes to college after facing a natural disaster.” Beyond these initiatives, Sam also dedicates time to volunteering with children with diverse abilities every Sunday. 

Sam hopes to expand internationally, bridging more communities together through service and leadership. Alongside more community-building activities, he hopes to bring more resources to students, such as clothes and everyday necessities. The prompt delivery of resources is important to Sam because he wants to help people recover as quickly as possible in areas that are severely impacted by these natural disasters. 

Sam leads Kids4Kids Relief with the help of his sisters and a growing network of supporters from across the country. Sam’s project shows how one student’s determination has touched the lives of many, helping them recover and reach opportunities that may not have been possible for them.