"As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way." - Mary Ann Radmacher
Spotlight: TACSC, PGK and CPFS (Lots of Letters Coming Together for Lots of Good)
Each year, we partner with our friends at TACSC to dream up a service project we think will resonate with the roughly 2500 middle school students from over 80 schools that come together for their SLD Days to learn about being student leaders. This year, we introduced them to our friends at Cell Phone for Soldiers (or CPFS).
At TACSC, a specific focus was placed on servant leadership this year. Participants discussed the pillars of servant leadership, and students were challenged to find their “magis” and create a program that will serve their schools, parishes and communities while fulfilling their own passion to help others. In introducing them to Cell Phone for Soldiers, a nonprofit organization serving our veterans that was founded by middle school students, the participants were able to see servant leadership in action and express their gratitude to our troops by way of short video clips.
As noted by Program Director, Gene Detre, “In order to lead, you must serve. And it does not matter how old you are… you can start today.” At PGK, we believe whole-heartedly in this message. And apparently it resonated too. As noted by Anita from St. Pius X Elementary School, "This Student Leadership Day was the best day ever! I learned that I can make a difference in the lives of others and helping others is what I want to do! To be a leader, I must serve. And there are lots of people I can serve!"
Anita, thanks for reminding all of us there are many people we can serve every day. And thank you, TACSC, for helping students realize their power to change the world!
Summer of Service
By Amy Johnson, Outreach & Marketing Manager, PGK - Bay Area
School’s out for summer! Bring on the swimsuits, fro-yo, and shades. And why not add a bit of service to the mix? Summer is great time to explore different service opportunities in your community. Whether it’s working in a garden, collecting clothing, or doing crafts with young kids, it’s definitely worth your time. And who knows? You may just find something you love and want to continue into the fall.
We’ve got lots of options to choose from: quilting for you crafty peeps, gardening days for you naturalists, book drives for all our bookworms, and pantry shifts for those that like to get their hands dirty. Check out our website or our iOS mobile app, YouthGive, to find a project near you.
Summer is here! Time to gather your friends and have some fun while helping your community.
PGK Bay Area - Here We Go!
By Amy Johnson, Outreach & Marketing Manager, PGK - Bay Area
It’s been months in the making, but Project Giving Kids Bay Area is finally here! We are thrilled to announce the launch of PGK-Bay Area just in time for summer.
We’ve added several local nonprofits to our platform and offer projects ranging from farm tours to clothing drives, meal delivery to gardening. You can even choose between reading to animals or reading to kids! We offer projects on-site and from home, weekdays and weekends, solo projects and group projects. It’s a wonderful resource that keeps on growing.
The Bay Area is ripe with possibilities for youth service. We live in a unique intersection of great need and great resources. Using technology to mobilize and inspire youth to give back to their community, PGK can educate the next generation about local issues and give them tools for tackling these issues head on. What a great example of using technology for good.
It’s time to check out PGK-Bay Area! Come meet us at one of our summer outreach events. We’ll be at the Mountain View Farmers’ Market on June 4 from 9am-1pm and the Facebook County Fair on August 26 from 12pm-7pm. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to get the latest updates. And feel free to reach out with your own ideas about how to make PGK-Bay Area bigger and better.
Dive in now! Check out our website and watch for our mobile app, YouthGive, coming soon. Find a project, have some fun, and make a difference. You’ll be glad you did. And so will the Bay Area.