Foundation sponsoring Wiatt essay contest during Philanthropy Week

Philanthropy is a big important sounding word. It's even kind of hard to pronounce.

Latin in origin, it means "the love of humankind." But the real meaning of the word boils down to this: Giving ... giving money, giving time and giving of ourselves.

Last year, Americans gave to countless causes around the country and around the world: schools, religious institutions, arts organizations, groups that fight social injustice, etc. And Amiercans didn't give because we had to, but because we wanted to -- it just feels good.

The Putnam County Community Foundation wants every high school graduate to know how to pronounce and spell the word "philanthropy." More importantly the Community Foundation wants students to know the meaning of the word and how good it feels to help others and to give.

Toward this end, all seventh-graders are invited to participate in the annual Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest. Winners of the contest will be announced during National Philanthropy Week (Nov. 11-15).

The Community Foundation also administers the Youth Philanthropy Committee, which is a group of high school students who are empowered to award $500 grants to youth-led charitable projects.

The 2013-14 Youth Philanthropy Committee members are Megan Arnold, Emily Dobson, Heather Goss, Mary Pearl Ivy, Alexandria Land, Chloe Maginity, Rebecca Moore, Kalah Reed, Taylor Secrest, Trae Straziscar, Melody White and Jenny Zehner. Adult leaders are Brad Hayes and Jill McCammack.

For information about how your child, grandchild, 4-H Club, youth group or student council can obtain financial support for a project to improve the community, contact one of the Youth Philanthropy Committee members, visit the website at www.pcfoundation.org or call Dean Gambill at the Putnam County Community Foundation, 653-4978.