National Philanthropy Day Award Archives
2007 Youth In Philanthropy WinnersWinners of the 2007 youth award which was in the form of an essay challenge were:
Grade 6 & Grade 11 Essay Challenge
"Change the world with a giving heart"
What does "giving" mean to you? The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) issued a writers challenge in hopes of gaining a youthful insight to the meaning of the phrase "Change the world with a giving heart"
Students on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands were encouraged to write a composition or story of 200 to 500 words, or a piece of prose in response to the phrase "Change the world with a giving heart" and we received some fabulous responses. One entry from grade 6 and one from grade 11 were selected on the basis of original thought, clarity of writing, general appeal, grammar, and spelling. The selected submissions will be showcased during the National Philanthropy Day event.
Liam, Gr. 6 Winner
"I have learned that we all can try to become a little better and do a little good and this will help make a difference. I believe I can help people in need by offering my gift of time, talent and treasure."
Artour, Gr. 11 Winner
"There is nothing like the feeling of goodness after you know you've done something useful and good. You know that you've made a difference...a difference that may go a long way."
Isabella, Gr. 6 Honourable mention
"Give Compassion
Help in any fashion
Love and Share
Anytime, Anywhere!
Just give a smile,
Or walk a mile,
And together we'll get somewhere"
See links to Liam's, Artour's and Isabella's full compositions below.
CHANGE THE WORLD WITH A GIVING HEART
By: Liam, Grade 6 - PDF printable version
I have learned that we all can try to "become a little better and do a little good" and this will help make a difference. I would like to try help change the world with a giving heart by being an example for how we can help kids and grown ups in need. I believe I can help people in need by offering my gift of time, talent, and treasure.
My school is working with the society of St. Vincent de Paul to raise awareness and collect food donations for the poor. We used the gift of time to support World Food Day Awareness on October 16. I helped hold the banner for our walk and helped collect food to donate. I hope that after people saw our large group walking for World Food Day that this will give others the idea that they could help in this way too.
I would like to try help change the world with a giving heart by sharing with others how they could help support kids and their families in need. I would like to get more schools to fundraise for the poor. I would like to write in other school newsletters or the community newspaper about how they can help make a difference. I would tell kids to check at home to see if they have shoes or clothes that are too small, but in good condition.
Kids can give away something even if they don't make or have much money. My treasures are things that I have really loved to wear or play with but have outgrown. Things I like to eat or treats that I enjoy make good food donations. The poor like to have treats too not just things people don't want or are broken.
CHANGE THE WORLD WITH A GIVING HEART
By: Artour, Grade 11 - PDF printable version
Growing up in a fairly well-off family in a Russian suburb, I had, at a very young age, developed a desire to help people less fortunate than me. Whenever I saw a poor man or woman walking down the street lugging bags full of their few belongings, I felt guilty that my fate was better than theirs. I would tell my parents this, and they would usually tell me that it was their own fault they ended up on the street. The world seemed like a very harsh place from the view of a young boy, and about three years ago, I started viewing it in a completely different way. I saw around me every day little things that I, at my young age, could do to make our world a better place, because I realized I was someone, just like every other person alive today.
I moved to Canada at the age of seven. I was greatly made fun of, being the newest foreigner at a school mostly filled with born-Canadian students. I took their teases and wedgies for a year, before moving to a different town, happily switching schools. I felt accepted at my new school, and I was. From previous experience, when innocent victims of self-righteous bullies were being attacked, I made sure I had done something to help, and in that case, it was to tell a teacher. Surprisingly for most, that actually proved to be effective, boosting my self-esteem, as well as the feelings of the bullies' victims. Even a small step like that can make a big difference.
Two years ago I moved to Victoria. It is here where I discovered and began to understand problems beyond bullying. Climate change, homelessness, and issues involving social justice stuck out to me the most. At school, I joined clubs and groups working to achieve goals around those areas. I joined clubs like ESCAPE, which centers around the environment and peace, and Interact, which works around social justice. I immediately started helping out with events and projects, because I still had that feeling from elementary school that the smallest things could make the biggest difference. It is through these clubs that I had also become most engaged in my community. Whether it was a food drive, a seniors' night, gift or money collecting, I was there to pitch in, because I knew that my small deed could go a very long way.
In the last little while, I've also tried to focus on making a difference on my own. I've joined the United Way of Greater Victoria's Youth Advisory Council, a council which promotes community leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy among youth. This experience has opened many doors for me, and helps me continue doing what I do. In a great land like Canada, I couldn't bare seeing homeless people on the streets of Victoria. I find it hard to rid peoples' stereotypes of them, when really they are human beings just like ourselves. I have volunteered for Al Tysick, a man well-known in our community for advocating for the homeless. There are many opportunities for people of all ages and interests in our community, long-term and short-term, to volunteer and dedicate time, and that again is something small that goes a long way.
Most importantly, there is nothing like the feeling of goodness after you know you've done something useful and good. You know that you've made a difference, whether you know it or not, a difference that may go a long way. So next time you walk by a homeless person, throw a quarter in their jar or say "hi". Put the stereotypes aside, and believe me, that is one small thing that will definitely go a long way. Go ahead: try it. I challenge you.
Together We'll Get Somewhere
By Isabella, Grade 6 - PDF printable version
Give Compassion
Help in any fashion
Love and Share
Anytime, Anywhere!
Just give a smile,
Or walk a mile,
And together we'll get somewhere
Once I helped a foundation
And once I helped a friend
And I even helped myself
It came together in the end
Sometimes you help your community
Me, you, and our families,
It could be volunteering,
It might be picking up trash!
It may even be just smiling,
But not to get the cash!
No, not just to get the cash
Use your talents
Use your time
Use your treasures all the time!
Have compassion, love, and share
Anytime and anywhere!
Use that beautiful heart of gold
Oh so bright and oh so bold
Take that step to get there
Yes! Together we will get there
Where friends and foes alike
Will drown away dislike
Community will form
Through sun and through storm
Because you did your part
And used that golden heart
You may have to plough
Through your soul but how?
Be jovial and share,
Anytime, anywhere
Love, smile,
Or maybe walk that mile,
And together we will get somewhere
Yes, together we will get somewhere
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