The Oak Brook Park District Foundation is excited to welcome a new young philanthropist to the Oak Leaf Legacy “Philanthropy Rocks” program.
Designed to introduce children to the idea of philanthropy in a fun, hands-on way, Oak Leaf Legacy helps young people discover that giving back is not just something adults do. Through the program, participants explore three important ways they can make a difference: time, talent, and treasure.
One of the most rewarding parts of the program is helping children recognize that they may already be philanthropists without realizing it. Volunteering, helping a neighbor, sharing a talent, or choosing to give funding toward a cause they care about are all meaningful ways to give back.
Participants learn about different charitable causes and are encouraged to think about what matters most to them. They then have the opportunity to choose a nonprofit organization or cause to support, putting their new understanding of philanthropy into action.
The Foundation’s volunteer Board was especially excited to welcome Ethan as the newest member of the Oak Leaf Legacy “hall of fame,” joining the many young people who have participated in the program in the past.
And Ethan certainly brought his own personality to the experience.
“I thought my mom signed me up for a math class,” Ethan shared. “I couldn’t be happier to find out this was not math!”
Ethan researched causes that mattered to him and chose to support PAWS Chicago. He designated his donation to provide food for animals that arrive hungry.
His choice is a great example of what Oak Leaf Legacy hopes to accomplish: giving children the opportunity to identify something they care about and then turn that care into action.
For the Oak Brook Park District Foundation, that is what makes the program so special.
“We love seeing kids discover that philanthropy can be fun, personal, and meaningful. Our hope is that Oak Leaf Legacy helps create a lifelong understanding that everyone has something to give.” said Kurt Wagner, Foundation Board Member.
The Oak Leaf Legacy program is part of the Oak Brook Park District Foundation’s broader commitment to encouraging philanthropy and building a culture of giving within the community. By introducing children to charitable giving at a young age, the program helps the next generation understand that making a difference does not require a certain age, title, or amount of money. It simply starts with finding something you care about and asking, “What can I do to help?”
And in Ethan’s case, the answer was to help make sure a hungry animal gets a meal.
The Foundation is proud to welcome Ethan to the Oak Leaf Legacy family and looks forward to seeing where his philanthropic journey takes him next.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, click the link: Registration Information