Traveling is nothing new to Grinsfelder, who has made several trips to Europe with his family to visit his grandmother who lives in Germany.
What was new for the teen was traveling to Peru to visit cousins who live there and transforming the trip into a charitable endeavor.
“I thought it would be great to take some soccer balls with us to donate,” Grinsfelder said.
The teen contacted Balls Without Borders, which donated balls and pumps and also suggested an orphanage in Peru. The trip proved to be so impactful that it inspired Grinsfelder to write about it for the Post’s Travel Tales issue. “I know someone who won the contest a few years ago, and I’ve liked writing since 5th or 6th grade, so I decided to enter,” he said.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Winning the contest came as a surprise. “I called my mom right away, and I think she was just as excited as I was,” he said.
When the Travel Tales supplement came out in the Post on March 27, a few of Grinsfelder’s friends texted him, simply saying, “Awesome!”
Grinsfelder said he hasn’t told many people yet, but he definitely plans to tell his English teacher Miss Tenan-Snow.
To celebrate his achievement, Grinsfelder will be heading to Kay ’n Dave’s with his prize, a $40 gift card to the Palisades eatery. “I love Kay ’n Dave’s,” he said. “I’ll probably get the grilled chicken with veggies. I love that.”
Grinsfelder will be sharing that meal with his family and grandmother, who was awarded a $20 gift card to Kay ’n Dave’s that same week for winning the Post’s Trivia Contest. Talk about a lucky family!
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