Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project (5)



 

24 Pittsburgh thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds participating in the Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project, a joint project with the Agency for Jewish Learning and the United Jewish Federation, granted HCEF $1,333.33 to help provide computers, printers, books, games, and art supplies for learning center and resource library under construction at Sojourner MOMS.

When the teens met to decide how they would allocate the monies they had raised, they talked at length about HCEF's years-long effort to establish computerized Learning Centers in facilities serving children who are homeless. They discovered that there was a computer in every single one of their own homes and that all but one teen had at least two computers available. As they talked they came to understand how much they took their computers for granted and how difficult it would be for them to complete almost any of their homework without a computer and printer. It was this new understanding that convinced them to help HCEF and the Sojourner MOMS stock the new center with these tools for learning.

Independence Middle School seventh graders (4)
(Bethel Park School District)


 

7th grade students, with the encouragement and help of their teachers, learned what it means to give to the larger community when they organized and presented their own version of the popular television program "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" for the benefit of the Homeless Children's Education Fund. The young people advertised the event, designed the stage set, created questions based on their studies in everything from math and science to languages and literature, and got their parents involved in collecting new art supplies for distribution through HCEF for children experiencing homelessness. And then they convinced 9 parents to accept their game show's challenge before an enthusiastic audience. The event was a lot of fun for all. As important, the students met their fund-raising goal: receiving an abundance of craft paper, crayons, paints, colored markers, and so much more.

South Central Elementary School third graders (3)
(Canon-McMillan School District)


 

The third grade students in Ms Palmieri's class are avid readers of the current event magazine Weekly Reader. A recent issue featured the story of a 4th grader who raised money for homeless children by walking. The students were quite taken by the story, prompting their teacher to find out more about the homelessness of children in Pennsylvania and to share with the class what she had learned.

Within a week the students had organized their own walkathon. Permission slips had been taken home and returned signed, parents had volunteered to help, and the principal had OK'd the event, thrilled to see the students taking real steps toward helping the community.

The thoroughly committed students went to school 45 minutes early and/or stayed 45 minutes longer every morning and afternoon for 2 weeks. Often they were joined by their pre-school siblings and other South Central students. The result of their effort? Toiletries and clothes for distribution to area centers serving homeless families and $2500 to help fund the educational opportunities HCEF makes possible for children caught up in homelessness.

"The 2-week walking period was a wonderful experience for my students. One mother reported that her son was on the phone to all his relatives: 'He was determined to educate all the homeless children in Pennsylvania.' We hope we can expand our class philanthropy project to include the entire school next year."

Shalom Mitzvah Corps (2)



 

An annual event for the young people of Temple Ohav Shalom's Shalom Mitzvah Corps is their "Dance for a Cause." For the 2007 event the group selected HCEF as the beneficiary of the proceeds. They weren't satisfied, however, with simply raising funds for what appeared to be a worthy cause they learned about through browsing the Internet. They wanted to learn more And so the teens visited HCEF and spoke with members of the staff about the organization's work and about the realities of homelessness in Allegheny County. They shared their new knowledge with dance attendees through posters and conversation and collected school and art supplies as well as personal hygiene items to be donated to area agencies serving homeless families.

"We not only reached our goals for fund raising [over $1600], but we were satisfied that we made an impact on the participants at the dance and in our Temple Community regarding the issue of homelessness among local children."

Brownie Troop 1018, Upper Saint Clair (1)


 

The young girls of Brownie Troop 1018 had worked hard for a year selling cookies and participating in other fund raisers. Unexpectedly, in the Spring of 2006 they found themselves in the fortunate position of having raised more money than they needed. What to do with the excess profits? The troop leaders talked with the girls about using this money to help others, and the girls were enthusiastic about the idea.

This decision led to the troop's learning about the Homeless Children's Education Fund: what HCEF is all about and how by contributing to the backpack collection program they could make a positive difference in another child's life. Having used some of those hard-earned profits to purchase what they needed, the Brownie Scouts began to fill backpacks with the school supplies all kids are expected to have.

Having gained a real understanding of what it means to give of oneself to help others, the girls were eager to do more, so the troop leaders challenged them to a walkathon. The scouts would walk up to 3 laps around a track. For each completed lap, the troop would contribute money to HCEF. While not a race, there were winners: the girls who were so motivated to put forth their best effort and HCEF, the recipient of the $140 they earned.

Return to Winnie's All Stars

(6/26/09)