ANGOLA — The youth philanthropy group FIST presented their annual review to area school administrators and the Steuben County Community Foundation Wednesday afternoon.
FIST members distributed more than $17,000 in grants during the school year. Projects included a Student Council tree planting at Fremont Community Schools and the Shelter Buddies reading program with the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County. Individual members volunteered to serve with the Lake James Christian Academy Handy Camp, Little Lambs Day Care in Fremont, the WLKI Pie Auction, the Humane Society and Cops for Kids.
“This annual luncheon is a unique opportunity for us as we are able to share the good work we’re doing with those who enable us to do it,” said incoming FIST President Jed Mortoff. “This event gives FIST the chance to thank those who support us and celebrate the work we’re doing with them!”
FIST includes middle and high school students from Hamilton, Fremont and Angola. They are supported by one teacher guide from each school district and two staff navigators from the Steuben County Community Foundation, which provided $10,000 in seed money at the beginning of the year.
FIST also hosted their own programs with local businesses and non-profit organizations including Jenny Lou’s Greenery and the Steuben County Council on Aging.
Their Trick or Treat for Canned Goods program encouraged students of all grade levels to participate in donating cans for local food banks and introduces philanthropic opportunities to younger students.
The year is over BUT their work never stops. Guests were invited to share how they demonstrated philanthropy in their everyday lives and some of those ideas will fuel future projects.
“This is one event I look forward to attending every year,” said Fremont Community Schools Superintendent Bill Stitt. “To see young adults from all three Steuben County schools come together for the improvement of our county. It is a joy to see what FIST members accomplish every year. It is student lead and student driven. I am so proud and honored to be invited to the luncheon”.
FIST is a youth philanthropy organization founded by the Dekko Foundation under the direction of the Steuben County Community Foundation. Students from Hamilton, Angola, and Fremont become members as 8th graders and remain through high school. Each school has an adult representative. The focus of the group is to promote philanthropy among young people.
FIST meets once a month to plan ways to empower the youth of Steuben County and assist in service projects. Collectively they donate more than 1000 hours a year of their time to improve their communities. In addition to volunteering their time and talents through service projects in the community, FIST offers grants to community nonprofits and school projects that promote youth involvement in philanthropy.
