Justin Alejandro Rabinowitz, a 17-year-old Jericho High School senior, was recently honored by a church in Hempstead for his efforts on behalf of earthquake victims in El Salvador. Father Heriberto Prudencio publicly thanked Justin during a rally at La Iglesia Luterana Resurrecion for the more than $3,000 of medical supplies he collected for those in need.

Justin heads a nonprofit organization called "Operation Medsupply." Last year, after seeing the floods in Central Africa and Venezuela, he noticed that there are large quantities of medications that are not used by doctors. He developed a plan to collect those medications and give it to countries in need. With the help of his father, a doctor, and his mother, a nurse, he was able to collect substantial amounts of medication.

Justin contacts local consulates that represent countries that he believes might be in need of assistance. Representatives have been eager to accept his help and supplies. Thus far, he has sent supplies to aid residents in Venezuela, Poland, El Salvador and Spain. He has also supplied medications to nearby locations in the South Bronx and New Canaan, CT. Medications range from dietary supplements and insulin for diabetics, to cardiac and asthma medications.

Justin, who hopes to become a doctor one day, is trying to expand his operations to include food and clothing supplies. He also is hoping to get others involved in the project. For information, Justin can be contacted at Rabinowitz at operationmedsupply@homestead.com.