H.A.N.D.S. Foundation brings 'Littlest Philanthropist Day' to local elementary schools
(Photo submitted by John Slavich) As part of Littlest Philanthropist Day, Stuart Hilsmeir, Olivia Wilson, Ross St. Clair and Stephanie Shively discussing 'treasure' with third graders at Churubusco Elementary School.
Submitted by John Slavich
Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Whitley County H.A.N.D.S. Foundation held their annual “Littlest Philanthropist Day,” when the members educate third grade students about philanthropy and give them the opportunity to become involved.
The members traveled to elementary schools throughout the county and taught the students about the three ‘T’s: time, talent, and treasure. Five of the fifteen members taught each ‘T.’ during the ‘time’ session, children wrote letters for patients at Riley Children’s Hospital and enclosed a picture of them in the envelope. The ‘talent’ group helped each student discover his/her unique talents. Last, but not least, the ‘treasure’ group issued each student two pieces of coin-shaped, gold foil-wrapped bubble gum. The students were allowed to keep one, but were required to give the other to someone else. All three groups explained and gave ideas to the third grade students of how they can use their time, talent, and treasure to help others.
The fifteen-minute sessions incorporated games, puzzles, and other fun activities which help the students enjoy and remember learning about philanthropy. The last group in each class announced to the children that if their class can create a philanthropic project, the H.A.N.D.S. Foundation will fund $100 for that project’s execution, thus allowing the students and teachers to become actively involved and experience philanthropy first-hand while improving our community in the method of their choice.
While the third grade students definitely enjoy this activity, Littlest Philanthropist Day always tops the H.A.N.D.S. members’ list of most looked-forward-to meeting dates and activities.
Schools visited this year included Mary Raber Elementary, Pierceton Elementary and Churubusco Elementary, with a quick stop at the Whitley County Community Foundation for a brief meeting over lunch, during which time members finalized the Dekko Grant Request Form, discussed activities for upcoming meetings and reviewed a few grant requests.
H.A.N.D.S. exists to improve not only education, but also the quality of life in Whitley County and the Foundation’s grant distribution is not solely limited to school corporations. Therefore, if you lead or participate in a nonprofit organization and would like help funding a project or other activity, visit the Whitley County Community Foundation or your local high school guidance department to obtain a grant request application. Look for more H.A.N.D.S. news in April when the Foundation will be teaming with the Columbia City Rotary and New York’s Fresh Youth Initiatives for a service day at Children’s Hope Hospitality House. We always strive to lend helping H.A.N.D.S.!