Raina Hirschhorn and Allyson Genshaft, seniors at Plainview-Old-Bethpage High School, are involved in New York DECA, a not-for-profit educational association that is affiliated with National DECA.

DECA is an association of marketing students that administers many competitions throughout the US. Their upcoming project is called "Civic Consciousness" and the purpose is to plan and conduct a project to benefit a community service or charity. All proceeds will go to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

When Hirschhorn and Genshaft were in first grade, their teacher read Stone Soup, a story that teaches that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good can be achieved. "With that moral in mind we are currently in the process of co-organizing a holiday sale that we have named "Operation Stone Soup," said Hirschhorn and Genshaft. "We will be selling donated items from companies, stores, and our community. There will also be raffles, door prizes, refreshments and more."

The event will be held on Saturday, November 19, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Plainview, which has donated their ballroom for the cause.

"We want to show other teens that they too can make a difference by raising awareness of an important cause and giving their time and effort to help their cause. And of course we want to raise as much money as possible for this very important organization," said Hirschhorn and Genshaft.

Please visit www.OperationStoneSoup.com for more information