Connections Summer 2012
www.nebcommfound.org
Young People Embrace a Culture of Giving The Philanthropy Council of Northeast Nebraska, a collaboration of more than 30 nonprofits, launched its Youth Philanthropy Contest earlier this year. The plan was to award $1,000 to individuals and groups, ages kindergarten through 25, to implement charitable projects in their communities. Eight winners would be chosen, with funding awarded through the Connie Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, which benefits young people in northeast Nebraska. The Council was overwhelmed with the response it received. Early in February, 33 contestants presented a wide range of charitable project ideas for judging: intergenerational learning, a diabetic support group for youth, a youth art auction, a gardening project for needy families, support for veterans, the humane society and more. It was difficult to choose only eight deserving projects. Later in February the Council hosted its first “Celebrate Giving!” banquet to honor generous adult donors and volunteers throughout northeast Nebraska, and to celebrate the winners of the Youth Philanthropy Contest. The event drew an overflow crowd. As the young people and their projects were introduced, many in the audience were moved to donate additional funds so that more youth projects could be done. The result: six additional projects were funded for a total of 14. “The contest just seemed to have a ripple effect throughout the community,” said Council Chair Tammy Day. “This is a tremendous step toward creating a culture of giving because we’re giving young people a chance to participate. It’s been awesome!” For more information and photos visit http://philanthropycouncilne.org. n
The Little Dragons After-School Program provides iPads for residents of Countryside Home in Madison for intergenerational learning. “The project went really well,” said Ronda Strecker, activity director for the Countryside Home. “The kids visited for about an hour each week over the course of several months. They played games and read stories on the iPads with the residents. I think the seniors were surprised to find out how simple it was. They really appreciated the interaction with the students,” Strecker said. “This project has turned into Carl Putman hones his iPad skills with the something that I could only dream help of students Jahir Casarrubias (left) about,” said Jane Lewis, third grade and Yovany Carrillo (right). teacher and after-school coordinator. there the residents were playing with the “The students beg to go out to two iPads that we purchased for their Countryside Home to see the residents activity room when we left,” said Lewis. and play iPads with them. Some of the The program is continuing the weekly boys have made pictures in art class and the residents have them hanging proudly visits for six weeks of summer school and will start up again in the fall. n in their rooms. The last time we were
The 3rd grade class at Jefferson Elementary School in Norfolk uses its “Bears of Care” project to comfort people in distress.
Ronnie Zephier and teacher Mandy Wolff pose with a nearly completed care bear.
The 22 students made 110 teddy bears to distribute to the Carson Cancer Center, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Norfolk Police Department and the Wesley Center Crisis Nursery. The project was intended to help anyone going through a hard time, and with each bear came a beaded necklace that represents each student who had a hand in creating the Jefferson Bears of Care. “The kids came up with the idea,” said teacher Mandy Wolff. “I was surprised they could even say the word philanthropy, much less tell you what it means. The kids said it just felt good to help someone else. It was a new life experience,” said Mrs. Wolff. n