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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 5, 2005 South Medford High School senior Chaela McDonald and her leadership class will distribute $5,000 to the causes of their choice through Community 101, a project of the PGE Foundation that gives students job skills and awareness of community needs. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Grant puts students on giving line By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune A group of South Medford High School students are getting a lesson in philanthropy, and local nonprofit agencies can get a little budgetary boost, thanks to a program that strives to link kids and community. South Medford’s leadership class is participating in Community 101, a PGE Foundation project that lets students award grants to causes they find worthy. "We feel like we are leveraging our money," said Carol Reed, coordinator of Community 101 at PGE Foundation. The Portland-based foundation, linked to Portland General Electric and other sponsors who finance the program, makes community donations, anyway, she explained. Involving kids in the process brings students awareness of community needs and social services. They also pick up job skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving, Reed said. Washington Mutual has provided $5,000 for the students to distribute locally. Senior Chaela McDonald, 17, is heading up the project at South Medford. Advertisement An honor student active in student government and the school newspaper, McDonald has "the biggest heart in school," as well as plenty of dedication and responsibility, said leadership teacher Cori Valois. In a survey, students elected to direct their grant funds toward programs that help families. Up to $1,000 also can go to a school project. McDonald identified nearly 60 agencies that serve families in the Rogue Valley and sent them applications. The applications are due Jan. 21. So far, the program has received two applications from community agencies and one from a school group seeking money to replace a sound system in the school theater. McDonald said other community programs have expressed interest in applying. Students will evaluate the applications, visit the agencies and dole out the grants. Grants must be at least $500, but students can select how many programs benefit and in what amounts. "They want us to visit the charities to get a good feel for what they do," McDonald said. She plans to visit each applicant and invite other students who are interested. The grants will be awarded in May, she said. This is the first year South Medford has participated in Community 101. The program started in 1997 with two schools and has grown to 35 student groups participating this year, Reed said. Many participants continue in the program for years, she said. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers