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Philanthropy 101 is part of the Wall Street 101 class taught by Natalie Johnston at the high school. Former OSF Board Member Joel Frydman created the initiative between the school and the foundation as a way to help educate students on the basic concept of philanthropy.
Frydman said he wanted students to learn why it is important to give of one’s time, talent and/or treasures to others.
Johnston explained that the program provides a “new dimension to the students’ education at Oakwood.”
“I believe students gain a greater social awareness of the needs in the Dayton area participating in this program,” she said. “The students gain the value of learning they can give or participate philanthropically no matter how much money they have.”
This week at the school board meeting, students presented checks to representatives from Hannah’s Treasure Chest and The Victory Project.
The student groups representing those two charities scored the highest with judges in the student presentations in December.
Other charities participating in the program and receiving funding this year are Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, Dayton History, and the Foodbank.
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As part of the program, students researched and visited charities with strong local connections. Using their research and experiences, the students presented to a panel of judges that evaluated the student teams, and made monetary awards to the charities based on the December presentations.
“Hannah’s Treasure Chest is humbled to have been selected by the students of OHS’ Philanthropy 101 program to receive these funds that will help us provide diapers to keep local babies clean and dry,” said Hannah’s Treasure Chest Executive Director Deanna Murphy. “As we continue working to enrich the lives of local young children in need, it’s encouraging to know there are such perceptive, disciplined and compassionate young adults preparing to become our region’s next leaders.”
This year’s judges were Frydman, Vince Russell from Johnson Investment Counsel, and Jennifer Speed, OSF Grants and Programs Chairman. The Frydman Family Foundation, Johnson Investment Counsel and the Robert Wagner family donated money so each participating charity would receive funding.
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