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ABAG's Philanthropically Speaking Column
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“Philanthropically Speaking – SmartGirls”
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| Jordan Schwartz and Aly Smith |
By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Jordan Schwartz and Aly Smith
SmartWoman Magazine
September/October 2006
This month I am excited to hand my column over to my daughter, Jordan Schwartz, and her friend Aly Smith, who came with me to the office in April for “Take Your Daughter to Work” Day.
I wanted to give them a project that would be fun, meaningful, and appropriate to the work of promoting philanthropy. So, we came up with the idea of having them write this month's column on a philanthropic project that they are involved with, and highlighting their thoughts about giving.
And here's what they wrote:
It is estimated that about 555,500 Americans will die from cancer this year, corresponding to 1,500 deaths per day. These statistics really hit Dunloggin Middle School student's hearts, since many of us know or hear about people with cancer.
Dunloggin Middle School (DMS), in Ellicott City, has an eighth grade student council which we both take part in. In this council, 20 eighth graders gather around every Wednesday to discuss and plan activities and events for the DMS body. Because we have this influence on activities for our student body, we take our role very seriously and try to plan things that are fun for everyone.
At the beginning of the year we discussed plans for a service learning project that every grade plans each year, and we decided to take part in a fight against cancer by raising money for a group called the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. This idea was first brought to us by a member of the eighth grade student body, and a friend of ours, who has had a close experience with a family member dealing with cancer several times.
With the help of our mentors, Kathleen Maizel and Christina Rivera, we managed to execute our plan in April. We asked the whole school to donate money during the week of April 24th. To try to get the students excited about this idea, we enticed people to give by giving homework passes for the first five dollars people brought in. In addition to the homework passes, we had the students honor people they know or knew with cancer by writing their names on a strip of yellow paper and hanging them in the front hall at school.
To better inform students, we also had members of the Ulman Cancer Fund come into our school and talk about their experiences of having or knowing someone with cancer. This really touched the other students hard about how life with cancer really changes things dramatically.
Participating in this project showed us the real meaning of giving, and what it does for our community. Knowing that we are helping people in need makes us want to put ever more effort into helping different organizations.
- Jordan Schwartz and Aly Smith
I was so impressed with what the girls wrote that I decided to ask them a few more questions:
Q: What does Philanthropy Mean to You?
Jordan: Philanthropy means so much. Not only is my mom's work focused around this subject, but I enjoy raising money and giving it away. Having a mentor like my mom and my two teachers really provides good guidance and support about philanthropy.
Aly: I didn't really hear of philanthropy until I met Jordan, and her mom explained to me how I have been involved in philanthropy all my life, without knowing it. In my church and on my free time I have taken part in philanthropy by going and working at soup kitchens and food banks. Now I have a better understanding of philanthropy and its meaning.
Q: What Kinds of things are you interested in giving to, beyond this project?
Aly: When Hurricane Katrina hit, it really struck me because I have friends who lived there. Now, I want to start giving money to Katrina victims and foundations to help build fresh water wells in Africa. Yes, I know it's kind of random, but it's a big problem not having fresh water to drink.
Jordan: Well, for my Bat Mitzvah I donated art supplies to the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, and I gave additional money I received to the Humane Society. I am planning on still giving to the DVC and the Humane Society. I have given to a lot of things in the past that are very different, like a Pig Sanctuary, kids in Western Ukraine, and the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County.
Q: Do you have any advice for girls your age about how to get involved in helping people?
Jordan: Trying to be cool can be a focus for girls our age, and I think being cool is doing the right thing. Try to focus your interests and your donations. For example, if you are interested in shopping or clothes, I suggest giving money to a group that gives nice clothes to people who need them. When you have an interest in something, it's much easier to volunteer at a place that focuses on that interest.
Aly: Just get involved. It will make you feel good that you are helping someone with less than you. It doesn't have to be much, like giving all of your money away. Give a little to a lot of causes – every little bit counts!
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Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Communications Director at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, the region's premier resource on philanthropy, dedicated to informing grantmakers and improving our community. ABAG members include representatives of more than 130 private foundations and corporations with strategic, ongoing grantmaking programs. She can be reached at: bbschwartz@abagmd.org; www.abagmd.org
Jordan Schwartz and Aly Smith were in 8th grade at Dunloggin Middle School in Howard County when they wrote this column, and are currently just starting their freshman year at Centennial and Wilde Lake Highschools.
Other articles from ABAG's Philanthropically Speaking Column:
"Philanthropically Speaking - Snapshots of Philanthropy"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Giving is Good for Business and for the Community"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Planned Giving"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Holiday Giving"
"Philanthropically Speaking - A Different New Year's Resolution: Creating a Giving Plan"
"Philanthropically Speaking - How Much to Give"
"Philanthropically Speaking - A Rich Tradition of African American Philanthropy"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Ways to Give"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Volunteering"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Where to Give?"
"Philanthropically Speaking - So, What are Giving Circles?"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Giving Circles in Our Region"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Starting a Giving Circle"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Barriers to Give"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Maryland's Community Foundations"
"Philanthropically Speaking - African American Philanthropy and Associated Black Charities"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Giving as a Global Community"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Youth Philanthropy"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Women's Philanthropy: Gaining Momentum"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Engaging New and Next Generation Women Givers"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Engaging Kids in Relief Efforts"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Many New Year's Resolutions Include ‘More,' as They Should"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Funding Women's Health"
"Philanthropically Speaking - It's a Wonderful Community"
"Philanthropically Speaking – The Value of Philanthropy as a PR Tool"
“Philanthropically Speaking – SmartGirls”
"Philanthropically Speaking - Volunteer Programs for Children"
"Philanthropically Speaking – Senior Friendly Funding"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Time, Talent & Treasure"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Creating a Solid Nest Egg"
"Philanthropically Speaking - Charitable Birthday Parties"
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