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Max Stephenson, Executive Director of www.AccessHybrid.org, Featured in Time Magazine

In a story entitled, "Getting Strangers to Pay My Tuition. Max Stephenson's $25,000 quest via e-mail," Time Magazine published a question and answer article with Stephenson, 18, revealing how he sent an email to friends and family requesting $2.50 to help him with college costs in exchange for a piece of his graduation gown at when he completes college.

Responding to a Time question regarding on how much he has raised so far, the piece quotes Stephenson, "Over $5000. In two weeks. It's been a great response. Most of the money is anonymous, sent by mail. It could be a dollar or two or as much as a $10 bill. I also received some payments through PayPal."

Stephenson goes on to say this is not his first business venture: "When I was in middle school I started a little brownie and soda company selling items that my school didn't have in stock. I had a micro-corporation of about four or five kids, and we raised some money ... the last year we raised over $4000. It was pretty impressive."

Time's online edition also featured a story on Stephenson entitled "An E- Mail Plea: Help Pay My Tuition!" at http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1838738,00.html. According to the reporter, "The 18-year-old is headed for New York University ... but his mom is on disability, his dad works three jobs, and all his grants and loans only cover half of the school's $50,000 annual tab. So to cover the gap, he's hoping 10,000 friends of friends of friends will each put $2.50 in the mail or send the money via PayPal."

In the online piece Stephenson says, "If you're worried I am one of those internet rip-off artists, call NYU's admissions office at 212.998.4500 and ask for someone in international admissions - they handled my admissions as I was recruited to play ice hockey forRussia and spent last year there."

The online reporter goes on to say, "His plea is legit. Stephenson is sending out his e-mail solicitation at a time when students' financial needs are expanding and the loan market is shrinking."

The reporter continues, "Stephenson's solicitation explains that for safety reasons, he provides potential donors with a P.O. box (Box 149, Pottersville, NJ 07979) instead of his home address. And the natural-born promoter also directs PayPal users to route the money using his e-mail address, MStephenson@AccessHybrid.org."

Stephenson has plans to use his college education to improve the environment. At 16-years-old, Stephenson founded www.AccessHybrid.org, also known as Federal Assistance to Student Car Buyers, which through legislation drafting, public education, research, volunteerism and lobbying seeks to develop workable approaches to reduce the nation's dependency on oil and improve the environment.

    CONTACT:
    Sheldon Kay
    Media Relations Manager
    SKay@AccessHybrid.org
    +1.908.500.6920

SOURCE www.AccessHybrid.org