Ohio State Marion's student philanthropy initiative Pay It Forward awarded three area non-profit agencies $4,000 in grant funding during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 30 in Maynard Hall’s Guthery Community Room.
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Students and non-profits benefit from innovative English course
$2,250 was awarded to Marion Victim Assistance Program, $1,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, and $750 to Buckeye Food Alliance.
According to Senior English Lecturer, Amy Tibbals who has taught the innovative English 2367.01S service-learning course on the regional Ohio State campus for many years, they are more than grateful for what these organizations do for the community, in addition to providing so many teachable moments for the next generation of cititzens.
“Obviously, Pay It Forward benefits our students, but it wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community organizations who are willing to come and spend time, invest their time, in our classroom talking to students, or engaging with them at their site, where students get to learn firsthand what they do,” said Tibbals.
“It is with this support from the community that helps these students understand hands-on what they do and how they are benefiting the community,” she said.
Tibbals went on to thank Dean Rose for his support of the program over the past 14 years.
“Dean Rose has been an avid supporter of Pay It Forward since its inception in 2010-2011 school year,” said Tibbals. “He has promoted it, not only within the university but also outside the university.
This service learning would not have thrived so much, in my belief, without his support. So, I am very grateful to Dean Rose for his support,” she added.
Funding for the program comes from the generous support of the United Way of North Central Ohio and through a funding campaign run by students in English 3304, also taught by Tibbals. The English class raised $2335 during their recent campaign, adding on to the generosity of the United Way that donated $5,000 to the project that teaches students in-depth the needs of people in the local community, how philanthropy and the grant process works, and helps them get a sense of what it takes to run a successful non-profit organization.
The objectives of Pay It Forward are to provide students a real-world purpose for their work in an English course; build students’ awareness of
local issues and connect them with local non-profit organizations making a positive impact; help students experience the reward and responsibilities of philanthropy; and build engaged citizens.