Youth in Philanthropy Students Raise Funds & Make Donations to Local Charities

End of June has been busy for our Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) students who have been putting their philanthropy knowledge into practice by raising funds and making donations to charities chosen by the students themselves.

“Each year we provide participating schools with $500 for students to create small grants for registered charities,” Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Red Deer & District Community Foundation said. “The concept is to teach students the importance of understanding the social needs within their communities while determining how and where they would like to create impact with their grant.”

First up were the Grade 5 students from St. Martin de Porres School. These students held an online art auction, selling art pieces that the students had created throughout the school year. The online art auction raised $900.

These YIP students also researched and crafted presentations on various charities, ultimately voting to donate the money to The Humane Society, The Mustard Seed, and Smiles Thru Lindsey.

But before they could present, Peden surprised the students by letting them know that their donations had been doubled, thanks to 100 Men Who Care Red Deer, who chose to support the Youth in Philanthropy program during their Fall meeting. Because of this additional donation, each charity was given $600 by these generous and thoughtful Grade 5 students.

Next up was St. Francis of Assisi Middle School. St. Francis YIP students hosted a popular “Pie the Principal” event to raise funds for their chosen charities, which were Paws and Claws Rescue Foundation, and Smiles Thru Lindsey.  They also ran a student canteen, and facilitated a Staff Dress Down Week. In total, $774 was raised, which was also doubled by the 100 Men Who Care donation.

Between both schools, this year’s Youth in Philanthropy students distributed $3,348 as follows:

The Mustard Seed – $600.00

Central Alberta Humane Society – $600.00

Paws and Claws Rescue – $774.00

Smiles Thru Lindsey – $1374.00

Each charity expressed gratitude not only for the donations, but also for the thoughtfulness and consideration of our community’s youngest philanthropists.