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Our Own Peace Advocates
  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.6 Identify significant contributions to society that come from the civil society sector.
    2. Standard DP 05. Role of Foundations
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Name a local community foundation and describe its broad purpose.
      2. Benchmark MS.4 Define perpetuity and endowment related to the role of foundations.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Describe the characteristics of someone who helps others.
    2. Standard PCS 03. Philanthropy and Economics
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Give examples of how civil-society-sector giving can impact communities.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Identify and describe the actions of how citizens act for the common good.

With the Nobel Peace Prize as an example of an award given for improvements to the common good, the young people list descriptors of people and organizations in their community or families who exhibit generosity and promote peace in some form. 

Duration: 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session
Objectives: 

The learner will:

  • recognize values that best reflect the good of the community.
  • describe individuals who add to the fabric of the community.
Bibliography: 

  • Spinelli, Eileen. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. New York: Simon & Shuster, 1991. ISBN: 0689718721

Instructions: 
Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Tell about someone you know whose generosity of spirit is felt in the way they make you feel and their contributions. For example, your child's art teacher nurtures every student's inner creativity, and in the summers she assembles and donates beautiful art kits in the community, using her own funds. 

    Share the story of Greta Thunberg, as an example of a youth who saw a need and gave generously to make a difference. 

  2. Read aloud the book Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. The book describes a gift that Mr. Hatch receives, which triggers an incredible flow of altruistic acts. The book has a surprising ending. The listeners will be inspired by the watershed created by one act of kindness. Discuss the good that can come from community members receiving recognition or acts of kindness.

  3. Invite a representative of the local community foundation to visit and tell about their work. Alternatively, visit the community foundation in person. The representative can talk about the following concepts:

    • the mission of the community foundation.
    • stories of generous people who act for the community and donate to the foundation.
    • the power of collecting and investing money for the present and future common good of the community.
    • the following terms: altruism, contributions, grants, investment, legacy, motivation for giving, perpetuity, volunteer.
    • the concept of an endowment through which the principal is saved and earnings are spent for perpetuity.

  4. Ask the young people to think of generous people they know who promote generosity and peace. Together brainstorm a list of the qualities and actions of these people. Discuss the values that best reflect the good of the community. The people they think of may be in three categories of giving: family, school and the local community.

  5. Youth may write a statement about that person or organization's generosity and impact. They may write a thank you letter to the person or organization they identified as a generous philanthropist who is working toward a better community.