By Becky Sharon, Charity for Change Board of Directors Secretary
I know we have a lot of worthy charities in Collier County, and I encourage the community to support ones with causes that are important to each person.
Starting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 19 to noon on Thursday, Feb. 20, Charity for Change was selected as 1 of the 40 Collier County nonprofits that will have the opportunity to receive matching funds from the Richard M. Schulz Family Foundation and the Community Foundation of Collier County through the Give Where You Live Collier campaign. This is an amazing opportunity because the contributions to Charity for Change are multiplied.
For me, my passion is children; they are our future leaders. I was introduced to Karen Conley, founder and CEO of Charity for Change, by long-time friend Kathy Feinstein, and I couldn’t help but get involved, first as a board member and as chair of the annual fundraiser this past November.
Story after story of the success of this program impressed me, particularly, a teacher’s story of a student who appeared to be on a path to gang activity or violence and some of his classmates perceived him as a leader. The teacher was shocked when the boy picked up a quarter from the floor and in front of the entire class and put it in the Charity for Change donation bucket, marking a major transformation in his values as a class leader.
I raised my own daughter that way. I told her when she was feeling sad or alone, the best way to feel better was to get outside of herself and help someone else. By giving to others, you always get much more in return.
Eliminating the risk of suicide and violence in our schools begins with the values taught by Charity for Change. These values develop self-esteem and confidence in students in their formative years, building resiliency that lasts a lifetime. Students expand their perspective from “me” to “us.” Charity for Change teaches students that they have the power to make a difference.
Teaching these values has been proven to develop the skills students need to improve academic performance. Charity for Change provides the missing link in our schools for our children, our future leaders. There is no better choice available. I am proud to be a part of this amazing organization.
To donate, visit GiveWhereYouLiveCollier.org. For more information about Charity for Change, visit CharityforChange.org.
