MC students making a difference

2011-2012 Midland College SIP members and grant recipients

By Rebecca Bell
Dean of Community Relations and Special Events

Never doubt that you make a difference.”  Those were the words of Vicki Jay, executive director of Rays of Hope and board member of the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, as she delivered the keynote address during the annual Midland College Students in Philanthropy (SIP) grant awards presentation on Wednesday April 19.

SIP is in its 15th year at Midland College, and this year, the 19 students in the group raised $8,000 to award grants to local nonprofit agencies.  This represented the largest amount raised by any SIP club ever!  Abell-Hanger Foundation and Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust matched the funds with $10,000, which meant that 11 nonprofit agencies benefitted from $18,000 worth of grants.

The culmination of the event was the presentation of the David E. Daniel Award for Agency Excellence given each year to a nonprofit agency that exhibits outstanding service in providing support to the Midland community.  It is named in honor of former MC President Dr. David E. Daniel, who demonstrated tremendous dedication in making Midland a wonderful place to live.  This year’s David E. Daniel award went to Christmas in Action.  As Bobby Trimble accepted the $2,000 award on behalf of the organization, he reported that the funds would be used to purchase roofs for homes.

Pictured from left to right are Midland College SIP Vice President Kiristin Roberson, SIP President Johnathan Williams and Bobby Trimble with Christmas In Action

In a recent interview with the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Abell-Hanger Foundation SIP Program Coordinator Suzanne Thomas said, “In its 15th year, more than 1,000 grants have been give to 152 different organizations, and more than a million dollars in grants have been given back to the community.  These students have undoubtedly left a handprint in the lives of many and this community.”