Whitefield students have a new opportunity to expand their impact on the local community and world through a parent-led initiative called 10,000 Reasons. An organization started by Whitefield moms Candice Comstock and Allyson Watson, 10,000 Reasons seeks to empower Whitefield students with financial support in order to pursue their passion of serving others. By issuing grants to students, the organization hopes to fan into flames the passion for service already embedded in Whitefield students, who complete an average of 10,000 service hours each academic year.
“We are so inspired by what all of you are already doing,” said Candice Comstock, at a Middle School and Upper School chapel held on Thursday, September 10. “We want to encourage you to lead the efforts to fund projects for organizations you already believe in.”
Students were encouraged to complete the application process for grant money at the organizations website, tenthousandreasons.org, by the October 1 deadline. Students first complete an application, which is reviewed and signed by parents, then submitted to 10,000 Reasons.
“You could fill out an application to help an organization buy a van and distribute food to the hungry, or to help villages in Guatemala – there is no limit to the kinds of projects that are eligible for grant money,” said Allyson Watson.
The ladies presented the opportunity to students after a chapel sermon by David McCune, Upper School math teacher, in which he stressed the importance of “seeing, feeling, and responding,” to the needs of others.
McCune showed various slides of optical illusions and logos containing extra images that are not often noticed by the naked eye.
“There are lots of people who are hurting but we just don’t see it. Jesus looked into the crowds of people who came to see him and saw the need. He was moved by compassion and he responded by meeting those needs.”
“We see that you have the compassion that Jesus had by the hours you already spend in service,”
said Becky Matherne, a member of the organization’s board of directors. “We want to help take that passion for service to the next level by empowering you to bring about change.”
The board of directors of 10,000 Reasons will review all Whitefield grant applications for completion; partners of the organization will then vote on the proposed projects to determine award recipients. The grant recipients will be announced at the All-School Easter Chapel in March.