Stefan has always been a very sensitive, loving and compassionate boy.

 

As parents we have tried to nurture these qualities by involving Stefan in community service at a very young age. Since he’s been 1 ½ years old he has helped pass out lunches, and cookies and blankets to the homeless people in San Francisco. He went on to raise money for various causes by selling cookies from a little red wagon which was once his baby crib..

 

After September 11, 2001 Stefan wanted to help the orphaned children in New York. He decided they needed cookies and blankets for comfort and in less than 2 hours he raised $100 for these children. In 2002 Stefan raised another $100 for children living in poverty. This money went to his school’s mission project.

 

In 2005 Stefan was inspired by his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. McHugh, who told the class they could build a one room schoolhouse in Africa for very little money. With the help of family and friends Stefan raised $2,005. In 2006 Stefan’s parents found the perfect location for his schoolhouse in Kenya. To raise additional funds for this project Stefan wrote his first book called, My Adventures with Stitch.

 

The sales of this book have financed the construction of a two-room schoolhouse which was completed in 2007. Stefan went on to write his second book, Stitch and Molly Tour San Francisco, in 2007. 100% of the profits from both books will go toward building his second school in Bungoma, Kenya. Construction of this school, grades 1-8, began in 2007 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

 

Stefan’s work has inspired many people along the way. It has appeared in newsletters, newspapers, television, film, and radio broadcasts. It has also been noticed and rewarded by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, KGO Channel 7 News, Disney Corporation and many others. See Awards page.