(Canton, OH) November 20, 2018 – This December, nearly 200 high school students will receive a hoodie from a college or university of their choice from Young Leaders Society’s (YLS) signature program, Hoodies for the Holidays.
This is the 4th year YLS has implemented Hoodies. The program focuses on offering encouragement to students planning to attend college, seeking to inspire them with a gift package: letter from an alum of the institution they want to attend, tips for the first year of college, application for the YLS Book Scholarship (starting in the spring) and a hoodie.
“Nearly 600 students from 8 different schools have benefited from Hoodies for the Holidays over the past three years. This year, we are partnering with CHOICES, Early College High School and Perry High School,” says Carrie Clemens, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Assistant Director of Resource Development. “Students love the Hoodies program. We have even had students go off to college, turn around the next year and make a donation themselves for another student because receiving their hoodie meant so much to them.”
Individuals wishing to make a donation to support Hoodies for the Holidays may do so by texting PURCHASE to 41444 or contacting [email protected] to receive more information on what hoodies are needed.
Earlier this month, YLS hosted their 4th family-friendly Stone Soup event. Together, 97 volunteers created 480 hot meals and 300+ snack sacks that were donated to local homeless or transitional housing sites, community meal sites or youth organizations including Hope Outreach Ministry, Lighthouse Ministries, Refuge of Hope, Tiqvah Hands of Hope, Total Living Center and YWCA Canton.
“It’s exciting to see this event continue to grow and gain more interest each time we do it. We are bringing volunteers from all ages together to help feed our community and you can see the impact you are making immediately. The fact that the event is open to any ages, even young children, makes it a huge draw for participants.” says Clemens. “Nearly half of our participants are children or youth.”
YLS will be hosting additional Stone Soup events in February and November 2019.
About Young Leaders Society
United Way’s Young Leaders Society is a group of passionate young professionals who come together to educate, engage and inspire individuals across Greater Stark County. They harness their time and talents through mentorship, fundraising and volunteerism to activate education initiatives and build a better community. Education sets the foundation for the future, and it is the area where they believe they can make the greatest impact. As young leaders, their personal and professional success would not have been possible without support from mentors, teachers and advocates who helped them along the way. Now they’re paying it forward for the next generation. More information is available at www.uwstark.org/get-involved/donor-networks/young-leaders-society
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.