As part of the 20th annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 13, 2009, Arapahoe’s Student Council members received the 2009 Outstanding Youth Group Philanthropy Award, presented by the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Arapahoe students were recognized for their generosity.
According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.
“The folks from the Make- A-Wish foundation nominated us based on all of the giving that we had done, and all of the support we had given them,” Assistant Principal Mary Gottlieb said.
One of the primary achievements which led to the nomination was Arapahoe’s support of the Make-A-Wish of Colorado foundation in the annual Wish Week.
Last year, students raised $13,000, which put Arapahoe on the overall top 30 fundraisers for Make-A-Wish Colorado. Over the past seven years, Arapahoe has raised over $72,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado.
Other charitable groups such as the Broncos Wives’ Food Drive and the Children’s Hospital Blood Drive supported the nomination.
This award is important to Arapahoe because it shows the commitment students have to their community.
“It’s another indication of the quality of the student body when they make a determined passionate effort to accomplish something,” Principal Ronald Booth said.
Bridget Fitzpatrick, Development Associate at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, shares similar views of Arapahoe’s students as Booth does.
“The inclusive nature of Arapahoe High School provides the opportunity for all students to become involved and encourages them to give back their time, money and hard work to make a difference in the lives of those around them,” Fitzpatrick said.
Members of the countless foundations Arapahoe students have helped appreciate their generosity, however, the faculty appreciate their generosity as well.
“We don’t aim for awards and recognition in philanthropy from giving, but I think it’s a real credit to our students who just consistently go above and beyond when they think there is someone in need,” Gottlieb said.
Gottlieb believes in the importance of philanthropy among the students.
“Any time you can instill a sense of caring about other people at any age is important to the development of young people as responsible citizens,” Gottlieb said. “Sometimes if you look outside of yourself and you realize there are other folks out there that benefit from what we give, it makes you put yourself in a little bit different perspective.”