Youth Council Grant Reception

DCCF Youth Council members are (from left): Paige Hacker, Rachel Lengacher, Ellie Jarrett, Rachel May, Mikala Barber, Chance Berry, Hannah Mason, Claire Hatton, Madison Reed, Anna Mayfield, Caitlin Chestnut and Tiffany Bell.

 DCCF  Youth Council mentors are (from left): Alex Knepp, Laura Sims, Becky Dayton, Betty Norris, Washington Mayor Larry Haag, Lee Coffman and Chance Berry, YC president.

2011 - 2012 Youth Council grant recipients are (from left): Dan Neeley, City of Washington Parks and Recreation; Kim Herbertz, RSVP; Laura Sims, Friends For Kids; Kerri Dalton, Bethel Mall; Kevin Shake, Town of Plainville; and Chance Berry, 2010-2011 youth council president.

   The Daviess County Community Foundation (DCCF) Youth Council is a group of students representing various high schools within the county.  The students chosen show a common interest in community involvement, knowledge of county organizations, and the needs and activities of those organizations.  Our mission is to connect the youth of Daviess County with causes that will enrich the quality of life for youth in the community. The DCCF Youth Council is made possible through generous start up gifts from Duke Energy and Smithville Charitable Foundation.  

   One of the main goals of the DCCF Youth Council is to teach the youth about philanthropy.  The first mission we embarked upon was for each member to collect three monetary donations from different people and businesses.  The donations would be used for the Youth Council’s first grant cycle and would be given to organizations that help youth within the community. With this project the Youth Council collected a total of $4095.  Donations received as of March 28, 2010 were used for the 2010-2011 grant cycle and those received after will be used for the 2011-2012 grant cycle.  The DCCF Youth Council presented their first annual grants awards at a special reception on May 9, 2011.  All current and new Youth Council members, their parents, the YC Mentors and guests, and a representative from each recipient organization were invited.  The DCCF Youth Council chose the following organizations to receive awards for 2010-2011: Bethel Mall for ‘Shop Till Ya Drop’ $1,250; Friends For Kids 150 T-shirts & 1000 brochures $703, Town of Plainville Schutt Baseball equipment $343.80; RSVP Pen Pal Program $739.77; City of Washington Parks & Recreation ‘Summer in the Park’ Program $425.00; and Washington Soccer Federation 3 team beaches for the Sports Complex $971.97.   A total of $4,433.54 was awarded.  This was an outstanding start to the Council’s first grant cycle and we thank all donors.  

When the Youth Council began brainstorming ideas for a community service project, Feed My Sheep came up as a project no one had ever done before and I have to say, it was definitely an overwhelming experience.  We did not expect the huge crowd of people waiting outside in the rain at 7:30 a.m.  We did not expect how much help was needed to put on the event and how many people volunteered their time.  We also did not expect the gratitude we received for helping that day.  They welcomed us with open arms and appreciated all we did.  It was truly a rewarding experience.  To also benefit Feed My Sheep, the Youth Council brought in non-perishable items to our monthly meetings to be donated.  Apple cider was served last winter at the Christmas parade, and we are now collecting change to fill baby bottles to support the Pregnancy Care Center. 

Looking forward to a new school year, a team of new officers and members will be in place.  They are sure to hold new ideas for us to organize and implement this year.  A prime rib dinner is already in the works for Saturday November 5^th, so mark your calendars!  We plan to build

and grow off the tremendous strides made this year with our donations and community service projects.

The DCCF Youth Council has grown tremendously in its first year and great things have been accomplished.  None of this would have been possible without our mentors, donations, and the community’s support.  The Youth Council sincerely thanks each individual and/or business who contributed to the development and the growth of our organization. 

Sincerely

Mikala Barber

Vice-President, Daviess County Community Foundation Youth Council