Her sweeter super 16

Teenagers on hit MTV show, "My Super Sweet 16," are showered with luxury cars and diamond watches on their special day. Birthday guests are entertained by celebrity rap artist in grand ballrooms.

Yet, this Waltham teen is is walking on road less traveled.

Olivia Iafrate will not open presents this year.

Iafrate, who turned 16 Friday, said she has seen every episode of the MTV series ending each half-hour segment in frustration.

"I think that these girls are getting everything they could possibly want from their parents, and they still want more," Iafrate said of the show, which documents upper class teens as they prepare for over-the-top birthday parties.

But instead of following suit with the show’s stars, Iafrate recently declared she doesn’t want any gifts at all for her birthday this year. Rather, she’s asking for donations to help out a charity.

"Instead of gifts, I’m asking friends to donate as much money as they can, just to try to help," she said. "Not many people do it, I thought it would be something really new."

Iafrate will be holding a "Sweeter 16" semiformal party in celebration of her birthday on Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Revolution Rock Bar and Lounge in Boston. There, she will collect donations to benefit Cradles to Crayons, a charity in Quincy, where she volunteers.

The organization helps to donate clothing and other necessities to children and preteens living in low-income areas. Iafrate said while she wants to have a large party, she would rather it focus on the charity, and not so much on herself.

"I want the glitzy glamour of it, but I want it to have a purpose," she said. "I want it to help somebody, and also be a good party at the same time."

Iafrate has taken a tech-savvy route to get the word out about the upcoming party. Through promoters The K Buzz, a marketing firm based in New York, she has created her own Web page. The site, www.sweeter16.com, features information on the event, a bio and photos page, and a link to the Cradles to Crayons Web site.

Iafrate’s site has already attracted several organizations to help out, said her mother Peggy, including the Salon Lison in Chestnut Hill, which will be setting up donations boxes to raise money for the charity.
Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons, said Iafrate’s ability to give up such an important landmark in her life to help others is inspirational.

"I’m really impressed with Olivia and her creativity, and the thought and energy that has gone behind this birthday party," Margherio said. "It’s a really special time, a sweet 16 party, everyone remembers their sweet 16. The fact that she’s sharing her birthday to help other children in the community, it’s an amazing thing."

Likewise, Rick Pizzi, owner of Pizzi’s Farm Market and Deli on Lincoln Street where Iafrate works, is helping out. During August, Pizzi said he is taking 100 of the proceeds from Iafrete’s favorite ice cream flavor, Wild Berry Crunch frozen yogurt, and donating it to Cradles to Crayons.

"I’ve always been a supporter of local causes," said Pizzi, who has helped out Greater Waltham ARC in the past. "It’s good to see young adults get involved with good causes."

Iafrate is also taking all the tips she makes this month at Pizzi’s and donating them to the charity.
"I like the idea how she turned it around, so to speak," Pizzi said of Iafrate’s party idea. "Instead of it being all about her, technically it’s all about the charity."

Iafrate said her friends were surprised of the idea when they first heard, but were with her from the start.
"They’re really supportive and they think it’s a really good idea," she said. "I just wanted to do something to benefit other people."

Matt Perkins can be reached at 781-398-8009 or at mperkins@cnc.com.