CODE RED REMEDY TEEN ANGELS BENEFIT HOSPITAL.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - A group of teen volunteers at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital found out Monday that serving their community not only enhances college applications but nourishes the soul.

Code Red Teens arranged for local businesses to donate prizes for a silent auction and a share of their profits from selling food at the Fall Festival fund-raiser - an event to help raise $1,800 to buy a much-needed pediatric crash cart, or a defibrillator for kids. So far, the group has raised $800 from a summer carwash.

``It's a goal we set for ourselves, and we raise the bar every year to meet that goal,'' said co-President Anthony Lai, who has been a volunteer at the hospital for four years.

Code Red Teens hold fund-raisers such as carwashes, bake sales and garage sales throughout the year to raise funds for a single purchase for the hospital.

The group, which has 30 members - half of whom are active - raised $1,100 last year to purchase two new wheelchairs for the hospital.

But members are quick to clarify that not all their activities involve raising money - they also provide services to cheer up patients at the hospital.

``We painted pumpkins for Halloween and put them around the hospital, we go caroling around the hospital for Christmas, and we make Valentine cards for patients,'' Lai said.

The students acknowledge that most of the students in the group are academically motivated and interested in enhancing their college applications.

``It starts out that way and as they get more involved they do it because it's for the community,'' Lai said.

Co-President Amy Braunz, 17, agreed, adding that most found a meaning beyond extra credit.

``A lot of the volunteers are really dedicated because it's the good thing to do,'' she said.

Hospital administrators said they appreciate the kids' hard work to provided them with needed equipment.

``They did everything on their own from start to finish, which really benefits them and gets the hospital something it really needs,'' said hospital spokeswoman Andie Bogdan.

The volunteers say their next goal is to expand and open up a chapter at Hart High as a school club. Because of its proximity to the hospital, most of the members are students at the high school.

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Photo:

(color) Amy Braunz, co-president of Code Red Teens, works at a silent auction Monday to benefit Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer