New Essay Contest for Charity

 

How do you know what someone is thinking?  Ask them!

 

As the Community Foundation of Grundy County and our Philanthropy Committee brainstorm ways to increase and enhance philanthropy in Grundy County, we’ve wondered how to get input from our county’s youth.

 

One way we’re doing this is by hosting our first-ever essay contest: “What Charity and Philanthropy Mean to Me.”

 

This essay contest is open to all students who live in Grundy and are in junior high (6, 7, 8) and high school in any of our area schools.  Even students who are home-schooled are welcome to compete.

 

Essays are due October 16th and winners will be announced in November, which is National Philanthropy Month.  Six essays will win cash prizes to give to their favorite charities.  First place in the junior high and high school categories each get $200; second place $100; and third place $50.

 

Entry cover forms and details have been mailed to all of the area schools for students 6th grade and up.  Students can also get a form by contacting the Community Foundation of Grundy County.

 

And speaking of winners giving money to charity, our second month of “Who Wants to be a Grantmaker” was a great success at the Chamber “Business After Hours” last week!  Host David Duda of Riverside Medical Center in Coal City drew the business card of Ted “Pidge” Smith of Advantage Realty.

 

Leave it to Pidge to change the rules!  First he asked if he could split his prize between two charities – We Care and Illinois Valley Industries?  Yes!

 

Second, could he donate another $50?  Of course!!  So now both We Care and Illinois Valley Industries will receive donation checks of $75 each from the Community Foundation courtesy of Pidge Smith and his generosity.  How fun is that??

 

If you want a chance at “Who Wants to be a Grantmaker?” please be sure to attend the September 10th Chamber “Business After Hours” at Grundy Bank from 5:00-7:00 pm.

 

And if you know of a student who’d like to submit an essay on “What Charity and Philanthropy Mean to Me,” ask them to check with their school or contact the Community Foundation of Grundy County at 941-0852 or [email protected]

 

We’re hoping the essays will give us insight into the charitable goals of our county’s youth so that we are prepared to help them achieve those goals, which is a core service of the Community Foundation of Grundy County.