This article, written by Jane Simpson, President and CEO of Davie Community Foundation, first appeared in the December 15, 2022 edition of The Davie County Enterprise Record.
Did you know…
I have the best job in Davie County! The people I have the privilege of working with at the Davie
Community Foundation Office and in the community are the kindest, most generous people with a heart
for Davie County!
In November I had the privilege of talking with another wonderful community group. I was invited to
talk with sixty-six Fourth Grade children at William R. Davie Elementary about charities and about the
Davie Community Foundation. As you might imagine, talking to sixty-six nine-and ten-year-olds was a bit
scary. I spent days trying to figure out how to explain the community foundation on a level they would
understand. It takes adults years to really grasp all that the community foundation does!
We talked about the difference in focus of for-profit businesses versus non-profit businesses and
charities. They seemed to understand that. Then we talked about the fact that generous people in the
community give money to the Davie Community Foundation who then uses that money to make grants
in areas of greatest need in our county. We discussed what those needs might be as we approach the
last month of the year.
Together we created a list of the top five things:
- Shelter
- Food and water
- Warm Clothing
- Medicine
- Toys for Kids
The students were gathered into small groups and given an envelope of play money. They were encouraged to talk to each other about how they should use the dollars they were given to make grants to help people. They could put all of the dollars in one bucket or split the dollars up to help with more than one need. Anyone walking by the Media Center that day probably thought it was a bit chaotic but making good decisions takes conversation at any age.
Once everyone had the chance to make their grants, we counted the dollars deposited in each bucket. The results made me so proud of those children!
Medicine received the largest grant with more than $24,000.
Shelter and Warm Clothing received grants in the range of $3,500
Food & Water received $2,700.
The most shocking total was the amount of grant money awarded for Toys for Kids – $247!
Our young Fourth Grade students understand that having the medicine you need, and basic food and shelter are so much more important than toys!
I came away believing that kids may seem self-centered at times, wanting everything they see, but at
the end of the day they know what’s really important. What a great message for the holiday season. You
should take time to talk with some of Davie’s kids. You will find they are actually very kind and caring,
and they know deep down that life isn’t just about toys!
The Davie Community Foundation Inc. “inspires philanthropy to strengthen Davie County for present and future generations.” The Foundation is working to promote a spirit of giving in our community and build a permanent endowment that is invested forever. Earnings from the endowment will benefit Davie County organizations and projects that are important to you. The Foundation accepts gifts in any amount, at any time: for an existing fund, the Community Scholarship Fund, or the Davie Community Impact Fund. A variety of options for establishment of named funds in honor or memory are also available. To learn more about the Davie Community Foundation contact Jane Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit the Foundation web-site at www.daviefoundation.org.