I have been the club coordinator at my school for the last ten years. I help new clubs get off the ground, help the advisors with deposits, manage the club calendars, and most importantly, make sure two clubs do not have a bake sale on the same day. I watch over seventy clubs, and I can tell you students want to give back to the community and want to help those who cannot help themselves. I recently came across a new club.
SHAPE is a fast growing South Florida and Vermont high school program. The foundation website,www.shapestudents.org, gives the following information about the philanthropic group-
· Exists in Vermont and Florida in five school districts
· Involves 42 schools and 8,912 students
· Has logged 267, 360 community service hours
· Students raised $37,637
· 423,424.98 donated from SHAPE to grant non-profit movements by students
SHAPE CEO Myra Brown told me, “Our program isn’t just about participating in community service and giving away money. Our students go through a process that helps them hone academic and life skills. Most importantly SHAPE helps them discover what a terrific person they can become.”
As a club coordinator, I firmly believe that those who have should give. There is nothing more beautiful than a generous heart. SHAPE embodies those philosophies.
The group holds fundraisers at the high school and program levels and then allows students to help determine how the money is distributed. The students actually review the grant submissions. One of the recent fundraiser activities was a golf tournament.
Current SHAPE advisor at a school in Plantation, Florida, Mrs. Pam Holifield, says, “SHAPE is an opportunity for students to make the world a better place by using and sharing their passion for humanity. Our goal this upcoming year will be to use our communication and leadership skills to make the world a better place one passionate idea at a time.”
She further states (as does the organization website) that the mission is to “empower high school students to achieve personal and professional success by providing philanthropic leadership, career, and civic opportunities.” Florida Governor Rick Scott, and former Florida Governors Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush endorse the program.
Founded in 2002, the club is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. If a high school, student, or parent is interested in adding the program to their school they should contact:
SHAPE, Inc.
2875 N.E. 191st Street, Suite 400
Aventura, FL 33180
Nancy Platt Vice President, Operations
nplatt@shapestudents.org
Interview with P. Holified on 2/11/14
Interview with M. Brown on 2/13/14
www.shapestudents. org
