Star Power: Adi Mazza

Meet Service Star Adi Mazza, 9. Since 2022, Adi has raised more than $88,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennessee, to fight childhood cancer., to fight childhood cancer. One of the ways she raises money is by running Adi’s Cookie Stand, an ongoing series of bake sales in her community. TFK Kid Reporter Ethan Yu spoke with Adi about her fundraising efforts.

How did you get the idea for Adi’s Cookie Stand?

For my birthday, I wanted to raise money for St. Jude, but my parents told me I had to do more than just ask for donations. That’s how I got started with a cookie stand.

It sounds like a lot of work. Do you have helpers?

We have a lot of help when we do big fundraisers, but the cookie stands, my family and I usually just do ourselves.

What has been your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge was not knowing if people would want to donate, but now that I’ve been doing it for a while, it’s gotten a little easier.

Last year, St. Jude awarded you the Jerry Nicholson Award, a national award, for fundraising. What was your reaction when you found out?

I was really excited when my parents told me. It was really cool to go get the award.

Do you have ideas for raising more money for St. Jude?

We’re working on a golf tournament. We’ve done a trivia night, spaghetti dinners, and a bunco [a popular dice game] party.

What has been your favorite moment of running your cookie stand?

Watching people donate so the kids could get better.

What are your fundraising goals for the next few years?

My overall goal is raising $1 million.

What advice would you give to other kids who aspire to make a difference?

I would tell them to set a goal. If you don’t hit your goal, that’s okay. It’s always about the effort you made.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.