Youth Give Back
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Youth Board donated 81 lbs. of food to St. Joseph Food Program.
Contributor: Ann Van Hout, United Way Fox Cities Youth Board Co-Leader
This year’s United Way Youth Board began with a transition when our adult coordinator, Michelle Losey, moved out of town and was replaced by Mandi Dornfeld. Although the high school co-leaders had already begun planning for the upcoming year, Mandi hopped on board and was eager to help with improvements. Surveys were sent out to assess where students wanted to see improvement. Goals were set, expectations were voted on, and the year began.
In the short four months since this year’s board first met, students have been involved in the following:
- Touring and decorating St. Joseph Food Program
- Volunteering for...
- Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
- Feed My Starving Children
- YMCA Freaky 5K Run/Walk
- Collecting, organizing, and selling clothing to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley and the Community Clothes Closet
Additionally, the Youth Board has given out $2,000 in grants to six youth-lead projects in the community. Mandi also suggested an idea to the board’s co-leaders to hold collections at monthly meetings. So far, the Youth Board has collected coats, plastic and paper bags, toys, and food. The collected items were then donated to community organizations in need.
As planning for the annual Teen Symposium begins, I can’t wait to see what new ideas Youth Board members have for Teen Symposium as well as the rest of the year!
