ATTLEBORO -- The words `` cannot'' and `` unsuccessful'' don't exist in Joseph Lazzerini's vocabulary, except to dispute negative thoughts.

`` You can't say an event is unsuccessful,'' Lazzerini said. `` People try to help out as much as they can, and that's all we ask for.''

Lazzerini and other members of Kids Are People Too, the nonprofit organization the 15-year-old South Attleboro resident founded three years ago, got some help Saturday morning cleaning up the around South Attleboro Memorial Park near Lees Pond in South Attleboro.

About 20 of his friends, other group members and community volunteers dropped in throughout the day to clean out the pond and pick up trash littered on surrounding streets.

`` A lot of people have been coming out of their houses, even, thanking us, bringing us sodas,'' Lazzerini said. `` We got a lot of community support on this.'' The group already has run several events and fundraisers, but this was the first venture for which Lazzerini has actively solicited outside volunteers, and it seems to have paid off.

He used the groups Web site, www.kidsvolunteer.org, and sent press releases to newspapers and radio stations.

The effort landed him some radio time on a few area stations, which some of his friends thought was pretty cool -- and he was the subject of a front-page feature in The Sun Chronicle on Friday July 21.

He also received materials donations from the Attleboro recreation and health departments.

He's quick to say that people shouldn't need a specific reason for helping out, that it's just a good way for kids to get involved in their community and show adults that they can help make a difference.

Maddison Lennox, 11, of Woonsocket, R.I., got involved with the group through a friend.

`` I'm doing this because I like to help people a lot,'' she said.

Another friend, Stephanie Tebbetts, 15, of Lincoln, R.I., has known Lazzerini since the fifth grade.

`` I heard about this on the radio,'' Tebbetts said. `` Joey's my best friend, and he wanted me to come.''

Next up for the group is achieving official nonprofit status with the state, which they hope to do by September. An ultimate goal would be to build a youth and community center in South Attleboro, and to achieve more long-lasting community involvement. They plan to make the South Attleboro cleanup an annual event.

With all this hard work, people continually tell Lazzerini he has serious leadership potential. But he insists he's just trying to do something good.

`` Everyone says I'll become president one day,'' he said. `` I'm too young to make that decision.''