Some teens set aside their own needs to work on behalf of others. Zach Peskin, 16, goes one step further. He's helping people with developmental disabilities put aside their own needs to work on behalf of others.

He created Special People Helping Others, a charitable organization whose goal is to train and empower volunteers with developmental disabilities to participate in charitable and community service work.

SpPHO's kick-off event, 3 for 1 Bracelet Day, will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, when volunteers and people with special needs will sell bracelets in Millburn.

"People want to feel empowered, and they'll be able to contribute this way," said Zach, a junior at Millburn High School and a member of Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.

"Other organizations focus on servicing people with special needs, but not on how people with special needs can give back."

The name "3 for 1" refers to the three organizations that will benefit: SpPHO, Doctors without Borders, and the Meals on Wheels Association of America.

Zach's 21-year-old brother, Adam, provided the inspiration for the organization.

"He has autism, and he receives help from my parents, family, teachers, and friends with daily tasks other people don't need help with," said Zach. "I thought it would be a great idea if he could give back. When he's doing the laundry or the dishes — when he's really helping, he seems really happy. You can see it on his face; he smiles and he's really energetic."

Zach, a member of his high school's tennis team, newspaper, and peer leader group, conducts economic research for fun and offers a tennis clinic for developmentally disabled students; but he's never started an organization or business before.

He wasn't shy about asking for help, however, and has garnered support from local organizations and businesses that have donated to the organization to defray all expenses. In addition, the Roseland law firm Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman & Siegel is providing pro bono legal services, and the Livingston accounting firm Sobel & Co. has donated its services.

The Nov. 11 event is cosponsored by JCC MetroWest; Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled of MetroWest, Inc.; and Dial, Inc., a nonresidential center for independent living.

SpPHO's board of trustees includes Howard Culang, owner of the Laurel Corporation, a privately held financial services company; Joel Siegel, founding partner of Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman & Siegel; and teacher Ellen Le Vine.

SpPHO received 501(c)(3) charitable status six weeks ago and has an extensive Web site. The bracelet sale is a first step; Zach envisions future projects in which the volunteers work alongside coordinators on an array of community service activities. The site encourages visitors to hold their own bracelet fund-raisers, with the developmentally disabled and "typical" volunteers working side by side.

He hopes the organization will catch on and that SpPHO will expand to become a statewide and even national organization with local affiliates. He's already had an inquiry from someone in Kansas, he said, who is considering starting the first affiliate.

His biggest challenge? Logistics. "It's really hard getting people with special needs the transportation they need and the approvals we need."