Ridgefield’s Philanthropic Youth Council (PYC) welcomes students who are eager to get involved in the community. The PYC is composed approximately twenty high school students who work together throughout the school year to raise funds for distribution to local charities.
Since its founding in 2001, the PYC has granted over $140,000 to deserving charities within the community and was awarded the Youth Philanthropy award for the State of Connecticut by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2010. The group meets every other Tuesday at the Boys and Girls club from September through May each year. At these meetings, members discuss and organize creative fundraisers to support local causes.
The beginning of the year includes a guest-speaker series in which successful philanthropists share their experiences and give council members advice on how to be better leaders as well as philanthropists. PYC helps students to directly help the community by planning fundraisers, developing leadership skills, and the understanding of group dynamics.
Incoming high school freshmen and sophomores are welcomed to submit a letter of intent describing themselves, their community service experience, and interest in being a member of the PYC. Letters can be emailed to PYC advisors, Mrs. McClain or Mr. Yolen, at dmcclain@snet.net or daveyol@aol.com by September 6th. Interviews will then take place September 10th. For more information on the PYC, visit www.ridgefieldpyc.org