Teens in Action applies lessons in philanthropy

After "mama," "papa" and "me," the fourth word in many toddler's vocabulary may be "mine."
Later on, in playgrounds, schools and churches, children learn the advantages of sharing and generosity.
But philanthropy — organized giving — is a subject for higher education, study and practice.
Local teenagers this week showed how well they've learned their lessons.
During United Way's annual luncheon, Burke County Teens in Action presented grants totaling $3,000 to three youth-oriented projects.
"Once again, Burke County is on the forefront of a new movement," said Eric Rowles, founder and CEO of Charlotte-based Leading To Change, a consulting company for nonprofit organizations.
He said Burke County Teens in Action, in its first year, received and considered more applications than any other county among nearly 20 with teams of high school students linked in the North Carolina Youth Giving Network.
The network's goal is to help young people learn to be philanthropists by teaching them to solicit, evaluate and choose among proposals for grants to programs that serve young people. They also learn to evaluate three components of prospective projects: time, talent and treasure.
Burke County United Way partnered with the Boy Scouts to start Burke County Teens in Action.
They recruited teenagers to join a 10-month-long program in which they learn about philanthropy, assess youth needs in the community, write and advertise a request for proposals, evaluate applications and finally make funding decisions.
N.C. Gives and Leading to Change developed the training program. Burke County United Way committed funds that could be given as grants for local youth-led projects. The Boys Scouts Council provides staff assistance and support.
The first group of students in Burke County Teens in Action includes Monica Eckard, Ashley Evans, Ashley Fields, Ivey Griffin, Sarah Griffin, Marasia Moss, Katie Reid, Zach Tolbert, Pater Vang and Nou Gao Yang.
They received more than $7,300 in requests from seven local youth-led projects.
On Monday they presented checks to three:
n Patton High School JROTC received $1,200 to buy materials for a strength and cardiovascular fitness trail at Patton that will be open for use by all students. JROTC members will build the trail as a service learning project. Cadet Capt. Marina Bollinger accepted the Teens in Action check on behalf of the JROTC.
n Senior Girl Scout Chelsie Felder of Girl Scouts Troop 912 received $600 to design and host a day of activities in April 2009 for approximately 80 children with special needs at North Liberty Middle School. As part of her work toward a Girl Scout Gold Award, Felder will remain active with the school through the rest of the semester.
n Suzuki Youth Musicians received $1,200 for "Just Fiddlin' Around." The young musicians will teach six to eight financially needy beginning violists referred by Oak Hill and Hillcrest Elementary school principals.
In their application, the students noted that the Suzuki teaching method encourages parent involvement.
The grant will buy correctly sized violins and teaching materials.
Lacey Thwing, Eli Howells, and Emily San Miguel accepted the check on behalf of the Suzuki Youth Musicians.
Eric Rowles said people throughout the state, not just in Burke County, can expect to see more young people involved in organized giving.
"There is a wave of youth philanthropy ... in North Carolina," he said.
And Rowles advised adults to pay attention to what the teens do and how they go about making their decisions. He said the older generation can learn a lot about giving from high school students.