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Orlando boy says he peddles snacks for nonprofit; records say it isn't active

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 17-year-old boy said he pushes pricey cookies and goods at an Orlando gas station to help him earn scholarships and even a summer cruise trip, but records say the nonprofit he said he works with hasn't been licensed to operate for months.

While customers pump gas at a 7-Eleven on Narcoossee Road, Tre makes his rounds.

“My name is Tre. I'm part of Awareness Youth,” the boy could be seen saying in cellphone footage. “It helps teens stay away -- stay away from trouble and crime activities.”

He was selling candy and cookies for a pricey $10 apiece, which Tre told Channel 9 was for scholarships and activities.

"Our next activity,” Tre said. “We're trying to go on a Carnival Cruise Aug. 8 through Aug. 10 next year."

One problem: the Florida Division of Corporations’ records list Youth Awareness Corporation's registration as inactive. The state said the nonprofit was dissolved in September, meaning no teenagers should be out selling its goods.

Cheez-It snacks, Vanilla Wafers, Crunch ‘N Munch and maple leaf cream cookies were among the snacks Tre was selling when Channel 9 bought several from him.

The total came out to more than $18. If someone were to sell 10 of the items at $10 a pop, that would be a profit of nearly $80. With enough children working, that's a potential hefty profit for a nonprofit organization.

Tre said Jean is the last name of the man who’s listed as the group’s president.

Records show that the organization’s listed corporate address traces back to a home in a gated community.

The organization’s corporate address listed in records is that of a home in a gated community.

Channel 9 called the president, but its phone call wasn’t immediately returned.