Written by Jessica Pilkins

Local Students Win Award for Philanthropic Efforts

It’s no surprise that area students are doing great things. But Community Youth Development (CYD) and the Giving Matters program want to showcase the leadership and generosity of female high school students who are involved in local organizations and devoting their time to addressing the basic needs and enriching the quality of lives in our community.

Giving Matters, a program of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southwest Florida Chapter (AFP), is committed to inspiring and educating women of all ages to transform our community and world through volunteerism and philanthropy. CYD recently partnered with Giving Matters to help promote and facilitate this wonderful opportunity to recognize local outstanding female philanthropists. The Giving Matters Council saw an opportunity to use CYD’s resources with community active teens to help facilitate their desire to recognize excellence in volunteer leadership and philanthropy by young women.

“This year there are two recipients,” said Karen Bogues, executive director for CYD. “The committee really struggled to pick the winners; it was really competitive and the fundraising lent itself to give to two winners.” Sarah Brickman, a junior at Pine View High School and Melody Mishkin, a senior at Pine View High School, were announced as the winners in March.

Melody is involved in the Pine View Student Diversity Council and serves as president. She also is involved in the Save Darfur Club at Pine View, was a school advisory board representative, and a member of Model United Nations. Sarah is a member of the board of directors for the Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park, a member of the Peace Jam organization at Pine View, and the president of her school’s Key Club. She is also a youth leader in CYD and the host of CYD TV, which runs on the Education Channel. The winners were presented with their awards and were special guests at the Giving Matters Luncheon on April 27.

The two winners received $500 each towards a college scholarship and another $500 to go to a charity of their choice. The award was open to female students in grades 10 – 12 at a Sarasota County high school and they did not have to be members of CYD. Candidates had to submit an application, essay, personal statement and a nomination from a non-family member. A selection committee was made up of members from Giving Matters who also did the fundraising. Thirty applications were received and six were chosen
as finalists.

Community Youth Development is an organization that empowers youth as leaders in service to their community. It provides social development programs and events for teens as well as community involvement through youth civic engagement programs. The organization created the Star Leadership Training program that offers interested high school students the ability to develop current skills and to learn new ones through an interactive training program. After the training, students are able to serve on community boards in a number of different capacities. CYD also offers training and technical assistance to groups, clubs or organizations interested in learning about the value of empowering youth.

To learn more about Giving Matters, call (941) 921-5410 or visit www.afpnet.org. For more information on Community Youth Development and their events, call (941) 922-5126 or visit www.cydonline.org.