BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) – CenturyLink, Inc. has awarded a total of $30,000 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations in Idaho and southeast Oregon.
Students who participated in the CenturyLink Middle School Philanthropy Program selected the nonprofits.
The program aims to help middle schools students develop a lifelong interest in volunteerism and community involvement, learn how communities can allocate limited resources, and increase civic engagement.
It also helps students engage with their communities while they learn research, presentation, advocacy and decision-making skills.
“CenturyLink’s key objective is to improve the lives of our customers by connecting them to the power of the digital world,” said Jim Schmit, vice president of CenturyLink for Idaho. “We do that primarily through the technology and services we offer, but we also connect with our customers by giving to and supporting causes they care about. This program is a unique opportunity to help students understand how rewarding it can be to get involved and give back.”
Ten middle and junior high schools in Idaho and southeast Oregon participated in the program this year to determine how to each distribute $3,000 among nonprofit organizations impacting their particular communities.
CenturyLink coordinated with the Idaho Community Foundation, which manages the grant funds and provides administrative support for the program.
In the six years since the program began, approximately 1,250 students have participated, awarding $162,000 and helping 166 nonprofits.
“Our students learned so much during this process,” said Jonelle Warnock, a teacher at West Junior High School in Boise, whose students represented one of the schools that participated in the project. “First, they learned research and presentation skills, which will help them with high school. Second, and most importantly, they learned about the good that nonprofits do in our community and the power they have to be a part of this good.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in our community,” said a participating Junior High School student. “Being able to do this CenturyLink project really made me want to go out and do more for my community. This impacted me a lot and made me want to keep on giving to people who need it most. I can’t thank you enough for letting us do this and I can’t explain how much this meant to me. You’re awesome!”
2017 Participating Schools and Nonprofit Grant Recipients
Alameda Middle School (Pocatello) - Students chose the Aid For Friends Emergency Shelter, Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICCA), Bannock Youth Foundation
East Junior High (Boise) – Students chose the Little Sisters Fund, Make-A-Wish Idaho, Zoo Boise
Firth Middle School (Firth) – Students chose Firth Education Foundation, Make-A-Wish Idaho
Lemhi’s After School Promise (Salmon) – Students chose Salmon Emergency Medical Technician’s, Inc., Salmon Search and Rescue, Lemhi County Humane Society
Sage International School (Boise) – Students chose Idaho Humane Society, Boise Bicycle Project, Aquarium of Boise
St. Mary’s Catholic School (Boise) – Students chose Big Brothers Big Sisters, First Tee of Idaho, Make-A-Wish Idaho
Riverglen Jr. High (Boise) – Students chose Camp Rainbow Gold, FACES of Hope Victim Center, American Heritage Wildlife
Vale Middle School (Vale) – Malheur Council on Aging - Meals on Wheels
Victory Middle School (Meridian) – Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Centers, International Rescue Committee-Boise, Sleep in Heavenly Peace
West Junior High School (Boise) – Idaho Office for Refugees, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho, Boise Rescue Mission
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