Seventh grader Griffin Melson received the Roger Grein Spirit of Philanthropy Award at the May 13 awards ceremony for Magnified Giving, a local nonprofit that gives students hands-on experience with philanthropy. Melson attends Springer School and Center, where the Student Council took on the challenge of investing $1,000 in a worthy charity.
The students researched local charities from a list provided by Magnified Giving. They then narrowed down the list and invited six organizations to submit grant applications. The students reviewed the applications, and decided which charity would receive their gift.
“The students really stretched themselves,” said Springer Assistant Principal Siobhan Taylor. “They made phone calls to Development personnel at selected charities and asked them questions about their mission and their effectiveness in accomplishing it. They then shared what they’d learned with one another, and made their decision by vote.”
The students decided to gift Our Daily Bread, an Over the Rhine ministry that provides warm meals, social services and a place for area residents to socialize.
“I so appreciate the opportunity to share Our Daily Bread’s programs and services with the students of Springer,” said Director of Development Julia Sharp. “Their compassion and interest is inspiring, and these funds will help us continue to lessen the burdens of poverty in our area.”
Student Council President Natalie Sparling of Hebron, Kentucky, and several other officers addressed the audience at the award ceremony. Student Council Advisors nominated Melson, a resident of Deerfield Township, for the Roger Grein Spirit Award because of the commitment, time, thought, and energy they saw him put into the Springer Magnified Giving process.