Matthew Stern, United Hebrew Congregation

When Matthew Stern was deciding what to do for his mitzvah project, one organization had particular personal significance. He chose the Melanoma Hope Network (MHN) in honor of his mother, Teri Stern, whom he lost to melanoma four years ago.

Matthew assisted with the MHN’s eighth annual Golf Classic and Raffle that took place on May 5 at the Persimmons Woods Country Club in St. Charles. The first Monday of May is known as Melanoma Monday, and all of May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Son of Michael Stern, Matthew volunteered to help MHN, not only stuffing envelopes for the golfers prior to the tournament but also distributing T-shirts, hats and snack bags at registration, in addition to providing drinks to the golfers throughout the day.

He loved helping the MHN’s fundraiser, because he would like to play a role in helping to find a cure for melanoma, so other families do not have to go through what his family did.

A student at Parkway Central Middle School, Matthew and his family have supported MHN in the past as well, by helping with other golf tournaments, trivia nights and bracelet sales. Much of the money they’ve raised has been given to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Mo. to help with the purchase of new diagnostic equipment.

The Melanoma Hope Network is about saving lives. It is a non-profit organization established to bring hope, education (particularly in schools) and direct personal support to patients diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

The organization also focuses on helping patients find help fast.

Jewish Light readers are encouraged to make donations to the Melanoma Hope Network, located at 1374 Clarkson Clayton Center, Suite 302, Ellisville, MO 63011-2145.

Readers can visit MHN’s Web site at: www.melanomahopenetwork.org.