Project Jack gets kids interested in philanthropy

In a community like ours, good deeds and generosity help spur on more good deeds. Because of this, a little generosity can go a long way.

Fourth and fifth graders at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows recently got to participate in a philanthropic project, thanks to a grant the received through Project Jack. The grants memorialize Jack Lindaman, a boy who died at age 6 of spinal muscular atrophy in 2010. The grants are given by the Iowa Association of Realtors, who want students to “pay it forward” in Jack’s memory. 

This year, two of the fifth grade classes decided to make hospital blanket donations their main project. The third class purchased board games and donated them to Mosaic in Clarion, and also spent time playing them with some of Mosaic’s clients. The fourth grade classes also received a grant each, and they chose to donate dog food and toys to the Humane Society of Wright County, and to pot succulent plants to give to residents at Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation.

“You fill out a short application and submit it to the Iowa Realtor’s Association, then hear back,” said Sarah Kakacek, elementary school guidance counselor. “We were very fortunate to receive the grant two years in a row. I was very thankful.”

For the full story, see the April 19 edition of the Monitor.