Tamalpais High School Student 'Shares The Health': Marin Hero

MUIR BEACH, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Suzanne Bender-Van Spyk of Muir Beach, who nominated her daughter Adrianna Bender.

Where the nominee lives:

Muir Beach

Name of the nominee:

Adrianna Bender

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:

No

What does the nominee do for work?:

High school student at Tamalpais High School. She is a junior.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

Adrianna is the president of the Breast Cancer Awareness Club at Tamalpais High School. The coronavirus pandemic closed the school, and she had to cancel all her plans for the big fundraiser planned for May. (Proceeds were going to go to the UCSF Breast Cancer Prevention Program.)

After the school closed down and social distancing measures were put in place, Adrianna was looking for a way to help her community as well as raise funds for a cause dear to her heart. In April she started a program she calls "Share the Health." Once a week she picks up organic produce boxes from Star Route Farms in Bolinas and delivers them for free to residents in Muir Beach who have placed an order.

This has allowed higher risk neighbors in her community to enjoy farm-fresh organic produce, without taking the risk of traveling to stores. If a neighbor feels inclined to offer something for the delivery service, they can give a donation to the Tamalpais High School Breast Cancer Awareness Club.

Adrianna is sharing the health of delicious, fresh food with her neighbors, and they in turn are sharing the health of funding desperately needed programs for breast cancer patients. Win-win!

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:

This is almost impossible to answer, as there are so many wonderful things to share about Adrianna. At heart, she is an incredibly hard-working, empathetic young woman who takes great joy in helping others.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.