4 • The Beacon February 29 , 2024
CCYL presents pay it forward projects
By Josie Sellers
Since 2017 members of the
Coshocton County Youth Leadership class have been given the opportunity to pay it forward .
The Coshocton Foundation and the foundation trustees provide each student with $ 100 and challenge them to use it to make a difference in the lives of others .
“ Since that first year , over $ 10,000 has been returned to the community , not including those projects which have further levied their funds for a greater community impact ,” said Betsy Gosnell , executive director of Leadership Coshocton County . “ The impact of each individual project is not measured by financial contribution , but by what the giver learned about stewardship and philanthropy . It has always been the hope and goal of this project to develop lifelong philanthropists among our young leaders .”
The CCYL class members shared their projects during a special presentation held Feb . 21 at Lock Landing in Roscoe Village .
First to share was Brody Stevens from the Coshocton Christian School . He decided to use his money to help the family of Olivia Callihan , a seventh-grader at his school who is battling cancer .
To make the most of his money , Stevens held a Krispy Kreme doughnut fundraiser at his church . He was amazed by the orders he received and how generous people were .
Stevens ’ Principal Amanda Hamilton said , “ On Feb . 13 Brody presented the funds to Olivia Callihan and her parents Donavan and Jodie Callihan . He first presented them with $ 500 . They were amazed . He continued by pulling out an additional $ 1,000 to present to them and a $ 50 Amazon card to Olivia . The Callihans felt very blessed and appreciative . The greatest thing that Brody has taken away from this project is that you have to trust God .”
Sophia Skelton from Coshocton High School wanted to make an impact on something she was already involved in . She found her project when she and her fellow junior class officers started planning Coshocton ’ s prom . Skelton didn ’ t realize each prom ticket was $ 60 and that kept many juniors and seniors from attending .
She feels prom is an event every junior and senior should be able to experience . To keep the
Josie Sellers
Anthony Cichon from CHS and the career center shared how he used his money to help homeless shelters .
cost of tickets down , a flyer asking for donations was created , and letters were sent out . The project raised $ 1,150 , which will help lower the cost of tickets .
“ I was very grateful for those who helped and wrote thank-you letters back to the donors ,” Skelton said .
River View High School students Lexa Guilliams used her $ 100 to create an event to raise money for Andrew Miller ’ s family . Miller is battling cancer , and Guilliams met his older sister while serving as a counselor at sixthgrade camp .
“ I was blown away by her compassion and her hope ,” Guilliams said .
She organized Christmas for a Cause at River View Intermediate School . For $ 10 a child , families could come enjoy games , cookie decorating , ornament making and a surprise visit for Santa . In the end Guilliams raised $ 2,217 for the Miller family . She blessed them financially but also was reminded to have joy , smile and trust God to get you through life .
Carter Kelley from Ridgewood High School held bake sales to increase his $ 100 . His plan is to help the Blessing Bags program , which provides nonperishable food items to help families in the Ridgewood School District .
“ It felt really good to donate ,” Kelley said . “ The impact of this program across our community is vast .”
Courtney Snyder created the Tomahawk Closet at CHS . She raised more than $ 3,000 for her project with a raffle basket and donations and created a survey to find out what students were most in need of .
“ Watching some of the students go through the baskets , pull out something they need and smile makes me smile ,” Snyder said . “ This has been real eye-opening for me .”
Ally Fischer from RVHS decided to help the animal shelter . She asked family and friends for donations of old blankets and towels and purchased items from the shelter ’ s Amazon wish list .
“ It was eye-opening to see how easy it was to make a difference with so little ,” Fischer said .
River View and Coshocton County Career Center student Mady Holand knew she wanted to use her money for a cause she is passionate about . After shadowing two 911 dispatchers , she decided to make them appreciation baskets .
“ They are a huge part of helping our community ,” Holand said . “ When you call 911 , they are the ones you are talking to . Doing this project made me realize how good it makes you feel to help others in the community .”
Kylie Miller from River View used her $ 100 to purchase items for Blessed Again in Newcomerstown , which provides new and gently used supplies for those in need .
“ They had a list of items they take and don ’ t take , so I knew what I could get and that my money would be well spent ,” Miller said .
She purchased toothbrushes , toothpaste , diapers , wipes , socks and several other items for the ministry .
“ I was able to get a whole lot of items that people truly need ,” Miller said .
Maggie Laaper from CHS purchased social-emotional learning
Josie Sellers
The Coshocton County Youth Leadership class gave its pay it forward presentations on Feb . 21 . Pictured at the podium is Hope Mickle from River View High School .
books for Coshocton Elementary School .
“ They can help them understand and manage their emotions ,” she said .
The 10 books will be on display at the school library , and Laaper plans to visit with students and read to them .
Like Miller , Julian Rivera from CHS and the career center decided to assist Blessed Again .
“ They are very heavily faithbased and do amazing work in the community ,” he said .
Colton Conkle from CHS and Blaine Hostetler from RHS and the career center both made donations to the animal shelter .
“
It has always been the hope , and goal of this project , to develop life-long philanthropists among our young leaders .”
Betsy Gosnell , executive director of Leadership Coshocton County
“ I chose the animal shelter because I believe you should help those who can ’ t help themselves ,” Conkle said .
Hostetler said he has a good connection with animals and has grown up around them .
“ It made me feel good to make a difference ,” he said . “ It felt really good to donate , especially with them being so grateful .”
Anthony Cichon from CHS and the career center decided to help homeless shelters .
“ Our county faces many issues that can lead to homelessness ,” he said .
Cichon purchased blankets , socks and personal care items to help those in need .
“ It ’ s not just about the money , but what you can do with it ,” he said . “ From my personal experiences , it feels amazing to help others .”
River View student Logan Fischer donated to the Gentle- Brook Christmas Family Project . His mom helped start this program years ago to help spread Christmas joy to families and assist with necessities like washers and dryers and hot water heaters .
“ This was my first experience during my childhood on giving without receiving ,” Fischer said .
Hope Mickle from RVHS held a basket raffle to raise more money and was able to give $ 180 to the Blue Star Mothers and $ 180 to Donate Life Ohio .
When the presentations were complete , Gosnell thanked the many organizations and individuals who contributed to the success of this project including the Dunmire and Simpson Family Funds , Leadership Coshocton County , and Claxon Communications for providing livestreaming services for this project .
“ It truly takes a village to have a program such as this ,” Gosnell said . “ Thank you to the schools for all the support you provide for the youth . Their hearts are very big and in the right place .”
Bob Pell , executive director of the Coshocton Foundation , thanked the students on behalf of the foundation trustees .
“ Thank you to all you young people for the time , effort , care and love that went into your projects ,” he said . “ I think you exceeded the trustees ’ expectations .”
The Coshocton County Youth Leadership program is for high school juniors . For more information on the application process , visit www . leadershipcoshoctoncounty . org / about-ccyl /.