'Humans Of New York' Creator Brandon Stanton Raised Over $1m With One Photograph | HuffPost Life

This Photo Raised Over One Million Dollars To Send Kids To Uni

Ryan Barrell— The Huffington Post UK

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Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind 'Humans of New York', has helped to raise over $1,000,000 for underprivileged children after a picture went viral.

Stanton's project involves taking photographs of people in New York City and sharing their story.

One picture in particular, of 13-year-old Brooklyn student Vidal Chastanet, was shared all over the internet and helped to raise funds for a campaign to send Mott Hall Bridges Academy pupils to university.

The post has since racked up over one million likes. Seizing the opportunity, Stanton decided to set up a crowdfunding campign on Indiegogo.

The original intent of the campaign was to send the children on a trip to Harvard University so they could see what it's like to be at a top school and encourage them to reach their potential, but with the fundraising more than 10 times more successful than planned, a scholarship was set up to provide funding to students of the Mott Hall Bridges Academy.

Vidal Chastanet will be the first recipient of the bursary, and 10 years worth of field trips to Harvard have already been paid for by the generosity of ordinary people who donated.

Humans Of New York, Sandy Relief

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Seen on Coney Island

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These kids made me laugh. Despite their predicament, they were pretty excited about being on HONY. When I walked up, they were in the process of dismounting from the boat. But they helped me out by piling back in for the photo op. — with Joey Kennedy, Andrew Sullivan, Kiel Anderson and Damon Anderson at Breezy Point, Queens.

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"Whatever's needed."http://www.indiegogo.com/HONYTumblr — with Angela Lesa Wheaton.

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In this week's matchup, the Staten Island Hurricanes take on Hurricane Sandy. Staten Island favored by three touchdowns.

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Seen on Staten Island.Donate Now: http://www.indiegogo.com/HONYTumblr

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"I was going to ride it out, but a police officer knocked on my door at 7:30 and told me that if I didn't leave, I was going to jail. Sure glad he came by."

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A human conveyor belt helps to transfer supplies into St. Francis Church in The Rockaways, which is currently being used as a temporary warehouse for relief efforts.

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"How's it going so far?""Well, one person bought a poem for $2. Then another person screamed something about global warming, and threw a quarter at us.""Yikes."Here's the poem I received for my donation:A bright dressDancing in the steamHomemade JewelryA memoryon my screenfrom anotherA patterned umbrellaKissing in the darkActs of loveA passion shared acrossA world of livesHONYA positive, beautiful,unreal world

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Firefighters from FDNY Engine 228. When I was taking the photo, a bystander leaned in and whispered: "They aren't even on the job. It's their day off." — with Carlos Rodriguez at Staten Island, NY.

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"The neighbor's dog got loose!"http://www.indiegogo.com/HONYTumblr — at Far Rockaway, Queens.

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Seen in Sea Gate, Brooklyn — with Heather Gunnoud, Mary Holleran and Fay Perrotte.

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Seen in Breezy Point, Queens — with Brian Dalton, Allyson Kennedy and Fay Perrotte.

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Seen in Breezy Point, Queens. — with Gosia Arystoglam, Deborah Muron, person, Victoria Muron Layton, Jennifer Fuentes, Fay Perrotte and Macho Mach.

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I discovered these four on a devastated street in New Dorp. They were cleaning debris out of a flooded house. The couple on the left is from Harlem. The couple on the right is from Ireland. They met this morning on the Staten Island Ferry, and decided to spend the day volunteering together.To complete the circle, they were all HONY fans. :) — with Russ Porchia, Marnee Meyer, Michelle Russell-Mulvihill and Nevan Mulvihill.

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"Our job is to shovel sand, and load any trash we find into bags." (The Rockaways)http://www.indiegogo.com/HONYTumblr

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No need to go outside. All necessary work is being handled by trained professionals. — with Salim Sparke, Alma Sara Gutic, Ste Fano, Alexandra Pavlovic, Cyra Anne Allarde and Roland White.

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I asked her dad why she was carrying a candy bucket.He said: "She's an optimist." — with Cyra Anne Allarde, Maureen Bugatti and David Estornell.

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Seen on Staten Island

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These two women came from the Netherlands to run in the marathon today. Instead of moping about the event being cancelled, they spent their time volunteering on Staten Island. Saw so many people in running gear today, helping New Yorkers remove debris from their houses. Makes sense-- because nobody who signed up for a marathon is afraid of hard work.

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"We ordered a bunch of pizzas for the firefighters. And when we came to pick them up, they refused to let us pay for them." — with Julie Ortega, Karen Wilson, Tara Tozzo-Saulle and Angela Lesa Wheaton at Lee's Tavern.

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Contrasting the devastation, there are many lighthearted scenes scattered throughout the affected areas. This car was completely destroyed except for the stereo system, which provided an upbeat soundtrack for about 100 volunteers in The Rockaways. I believe Elvis was playing when this photo was taken.A huge sense of camaraderie is evident among everyone working in the storm areas. If you're able to get out there one day, you will definitely leave with some new friends. If you can't make it, please consider donating. The first 14 hours of the campaign have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Let's keep fueling the fire: http://www.indiegogo.com/HONYTumblr

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Ran into Police Commissioner Kelly during his tour of The Rockaways. When I explained we were holding a fundraiser, he graciously allowed me to take his photograph. I'm not an expert in body language, but I'm thinking now that I shouldn't have told him where to stand.

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"Are you volunteering today?""Something like that. I'm the Chief of Personnel for the New York Fire Department. I'm making sure everyone is where they need to be, and has what they need.""Oh wow. Do you mind if I take your photo?""Sure. Can my son be in the picture?"

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Seen in Sea Gate, Brooklyn — with Fay Perrotte.

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In times of crisis, we realize the mass amount of manpower and infrastructure underlying those resources we take for granted. This truck was driven into Staten Island by FuelReliefFund.org, a charity that specializes in delivering fuel to disaster areas. A little less romantic than handing out food and blankets, but such important work. Their motto: "The next best thing to food, water, and shelter." — with Victor Fantastic.

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Volunteers from the Staten Island Muslim-American Society, heading back to their car for more supplies. — with Angie Issa, Islam Allan, Ajie Mustika Savitri, Nana Riswan, Mirza Alexander and Azimah Imdaad Hamid.

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uk lifestyle humans of new york brandon stanton Photography crowdfunding

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