by the Editor     The debate rages around the impact of ‘helicopter parenting’, and the perception that parents and educators are unable or unwilling to honestly appraise and critique children’s attitudes, behaviour and actions.  However, the involvement of children in charitable fundraising goes a long way towards making kids' attitudes and behaviours count. 

Many schools and teachers recognise that involving children in charitable programs builds resilience in the next generation of strong social citizens. These projects encourage empathy, philanthropy and care in Australian kids, tapping into their innate compassion for their peers and kids in need, whilst fostering leadership and independence in young Australians everywhere.

For the very first time, the massive financial impact of philanthropic contributions made by Australian schools and kids throughout Australia has been revealed, with close to $11,000,000* raised for charities each year through outstanding achievements in school-based philanthropy.

The nation’s teachers and students now have an opportunity to see their tireless fundraising efforts celebrated and nationally recognised in the inaugural ‘Kids Helping Kids Awards’, Run by SchoolAid. The first Kids Helping Kids Awards will recognise and reward the work of Australian schools and educators working to develop the next generation of strong, empowered and resilient children. The ‘Kids Helping Kids Awards’ provides a much-needed avenue for these critical life skills and values to be rewarded through a national Awards program.

SchoolAid Founder Sean Gordon congratulated Australian teachers and students on their incredible fundraising achievement, saying, “Australian principals, teachers and schoolchildren have been giving back to their communities through fundraising and philanthropic activities for many years. It’s truly wonderful to see these selfless and ongoing activities finally being acknowledged. The Kids Helping Kids Awards will celebrate these achievements and recognise these activities at a national level. The importance of supporting school-based philanthropy is clear, as children who learn about the value of giving at an early age tend to become life-long donors and volunteers.”

One school's experience shows how kids place social justice at the heart of their school community. Having only been in existence since 2008, ICA Melton College in Victoria is already making a huge impact in the local community and around the world with their selfless efforts to help other kids in need. Social justice was recently voted by Melton students as one of the most important issues for their school community. Two Social Justice Captains were voted from among the student body and have now taken responsibility for running all internal fundraising and charitable events. Pictured, are four ICA Melton students dressed as their favourite book characters, for one of their fundraising efforts.

Now Melton, along with all schools in Australia, have the opportunity to see their efforts rewarded in the nation’s first Awards program dedicated to recognising excellence in school-based philanthropy.  Schools are encouraged to enter their fundraising work for other kids in crisis, whether it is for their local community, across Australia or around the world.  In this instance, the Melton College kids have decided to enter their fundraising project in the “Sustainability” category for the awards, to acknowledge their long-term commitment to philanthropic activities at Melton.

All the kids in the school participate in fundraising events and work together to select a recipient organisation, usually one with a personal link to the school – whether a disease that affects someone’s family, or a connection to an international disaster. The school is also committed to “spreading the love” by supporting a different nonprofit organisation each term.

The kids are often lucky enough to have school visits by the charities they support and are all genuinely touched by the impact that their fundraising activities have had on other people.

Julia Gillard has welcomed the awards, stating: "There are a myriad of benefits that come with being involved in a fundraising activity; it connects communities, promotes social activity, broadens our understanding of our diverse society, enables our compassion to be put into action and most importantly benefits children in need.  I encourage all schools to get involved, be proud of your achievements and celebrate the generosity of Australians for those in need.”

Entries for the Kids Helping Kids Awards are now open (until September 15, 2010), with great prizes and national recognition for the top achievers. Schools across the nation are encouraged to register for the Awards and to share their stories of support for kids in their local communities, around Australia, and throughout the world.

For more information about SchoolAid and to register for the Kids Helping Kids Awards please visit www.schoolaid.org.au

*This figure is a SchoolAid estimate based on the average sum raised by each school for a SchoolAid appeal and then multiplied by an average number of fundraising events schools conduct in a year.

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