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Butch Furse
Over the past few months we’ve noticed an increase in philanthropy on the national level as well as locally. Many nonprofits have reported successful fund drives that exceeded their original goals. That is refreshing good news considering we’ve had nearly two years of pessimism caused by mainly COVID reports and its consequential factors such as deaths, health sector challenges as well as its economic impact.
Don’t be alarmed. We’re not going to dwell on bad news. Right here in our community we’ve seen an “uptick” of goodwill. People seem to be more concerned about caring for their friends and neighbors. Giving hearts seem to have opened pocketbooks and people and businesses are more aware of not only their financial contributions, but opening up their hearts to meet food and daily needs for the less fortunate and the nonprofits organizations who serve.
But there’s something else going on. More and more children are participating in this philanthropy. Nationally a study has shown there is a 20 percent increase in giving when parents over the years have talked about their donations with their children. There is a nine percent increase in giving nationally among adult children if their parents are charitable. Aurora has been a part of this national trend.
The past few weeks it has been evident local children are aware of giving not only through their parents, but through school programs that show the children how they can play a part in bettering this community. We have witnessed over the past 18 years where an Aurora fourth grade class has made cash donations to the Adopt A Pet Shelter. Two brothers and their sister at Christmastime brought in critical supplies needed at the shelter and were among other children and/or adults throughout the year who visited our shelter with acts of kindness.
Youngsters and adults have gained a sense of power and hope in the face of challenging circumstances through philanthropy.
“Teaching our children to have a great work effort is extremely necessary,” said consultant Traci Basely. “Still, we also want our children to know when they have an abundance of something, part of their responsibility to the human village is to share it with others.”
Thanks children and adults for your support in the community.
RL Furse is publisher emeritus of the News-Register
