Ray Lenarcic, a SUNY Fredonia graduate, is shown with grandson Andrew James Snyder.

What would you do if you were a 16-year-old boy with Neurofibromatosis, Autism, Ring Chromosome 17 Syndrome, Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), Lyme Disease and co-infections, an extremely rare genetic condition causing deficit in CD4 cells-no ability to fight off disease and ADHD, was unaccepted, shunned by peers, misunderstood by classroom teachers and most days sat by yourself in the cafeteria?

Probably spend your spare time wondering why me?

But that’s not my grandson, Andrew James Snyder. The high functioning junior at a local school asks another question. Who can I help? What follows is part of the answer.

Over the past few years, Andrew has done the following:

– Volunteered at Shepherd’s Table.

– Volunteered for the Herkimer Country Hunger Coalition’s Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program.

– Rolled $600 in coins and donated gift cards to those in need (migrant workers’ children).

– Raised thousands of dollars for World Central Kitchen after war broke out in the Ukraine.

– Saved $500 to donate five Christmas trees to families in need.

– Enjoyed that experience so much that he raised $1,500 to donate 15 trees to families in need associated with BOCES.

Among the latter is a family of nine children whose home recently burned to the ground. When asked about whether he’d like a tree to go to them, he responded, “It’s Christmas. What’s Christmas without a tree?”

Another recipient is a single mother and her daughter. When he heard about her situation, he told me, “She’s got to have a tree. Where else would her presents be placed?”

We’re all aware that Christmas is a time for giving. “‘Tis better to give than receive.”

For Andrew that phrase is to be taken literally. Despite all the medications, monthly trips to Darien, Conn., for his IVIG infusions and to Boston every few months to meet with nephrologists, immunologists and genetic specialists, along with experiencing a loneliness akin to that of the long distance runner, he trudges on, blessed by the support of an incredibly loving mother.

When I asked why he does these things, his answer was, “I have a purpose in life – there are others who need help and should have an equal chance to experience a happy Christmas.”

While his peers and others would probably not have appreciated his efforts, I have to believe that the child in the manger would.

Altruism is defined as an unselfish concern for the welfare of others as personified by Andrew James Snyder.

Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.