Griffin Burr's faith grounded in social action

A mild case of cholera contracted when he was in Cambodia on a mission trip only strengthened West Islip High School's Griffin Burr's enthusiasm for providing clean water in rural and disadvantaged areas.

Burr, 18, saw the need for humanitarian aid when he helped build a playground at a local community center in Cambodia, and in Costa Rica helped build homes for underprivileged families, both through mission trips with his church, the United Methodist Church in Babylon. He experienced firsthand the impact of lack of clean water.

Burr doesn't only spread his good works abroad. In West Islip, he earned his Eagle Scout award by redoing a garden at the entrance to the West Islip Acres Civic Association, and arranging with a Girl Scout troop to take over its ongoing maintenance. He also helped build a home in Bellport through Habitat for Humanity, teaches Sunday school and volunteers in the acute-care elderly unit at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Despite his volunteer work at the hospital, Burr said he has no desire for a medical career. When Burr was in ninth grade, his 21-year-old brother was battling testicular cancer. He has since recovered, but Burr said he doesn't care for the hospital atmosphere when it comes to delivering bad news and responding to patient emergencies.

His plans:He will attend the University of Chicago, where he aims to study environmental science with a business and research emphasis.

In his words: "Clean water is a big deal. I saw people drinking dirty water and getting sick from it, kids with dysentery. Something needs to be done. I think no one understands it unless they've been in a situation like that."

The view from the guidance office:"Griffin is a young man who is shown to be loyal, trustworthy, a team player, patient and kind," said Michelle Falco, school counselor. "He is a brilliant leader . . . and an overall hardworking young man."