April 25, 2016 — The PATH Foundation announced the results of a philanthropic-focused program designed to have high school seniors think about giving back to their communities. The program offered each high school senior $25 to donate to a nonprofit registered with Give Local Piedmont, a fundraising campaign supported by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation. 801 high school seniors in Fauquier – from public and private schools – participated in the first-time program. Their donations totaled $20,025. The PATH Foundation extended the same offer to high school seniors in Culpeper and Rappahannock Counties, with results still being tallied.

High school seniors were shown a video explaining the program’s premise, then given a ballot to select one of more than 150 organizations registered to participate in the May 3 Give Local Piedmont event. Students were encouraged to pick an organization that was important to them. 97 total organizations were recipients of at least one vote.Said Christy Connolly, PATH Foundation President and CEO, “We are hoping that as students look toward their futures, this program gives them the chance to think about giving back to their communities as well. Give Local Piedmont is the perfect complement to our effort. We are thrilled to have had all public and private schools in Fauquier, Culpeper and Rappahannock participate.”

Sam Cox, Principal at Liberty High School, noted the positive response from teachers, “The students took this opportunity to make a choice seriously. They discussed options, shared what they knew about some of the charities, and seemed very pleased to be given the opportunity to choose. It was a very positive experience for them. For the most part, they honored children and animals, things dear to them.”

Animals were indeed important to many high school seniors, with the Fauquier SPCA receiving 125 of the 801 votes cast.

Major Warner, Kettle Run High School’s principal, also noted the impact of the program, “The ability to partner with community organizations like the PATH Foundation to foster the importance, spirit and practice of giving back to your community is critical. I was pleased with the level of responsiveness and attentiveness our students gave the process.”

Hosted on Tuesday, May 3, by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Give Local Piedmont is the community’s one-day, online giving event to inspire people to give generously to area nonprofit organizations. The PATH Foundation also contributed $100,000 to the Give Local Piedmont campaign, in addition to the high school senior program. Participating nonprofits represent arts & culture, animal welfare, community improvement, education, environment, health, housing, human services, public safety & crime prevention, and youth development.

TOP 10 SELECTIONS BY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Fauquier SPCA, $3125 from 125 votes
Fauquier Special Olympics, $1100 from 44 votes
Fauquier Free Clinic, $800 from 32 votes
Boys & Girls Club of Fauquier, $600 from 24 votes
Young Life of Fauquier County, $575 from 23 votes
Fauquier Community Food Bank & Thrift Store, $550 from 22 votes
Fauquier FISH, $550 from 22 votes
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, $525 from 21 votes
Finley’s Green Leap Forward, $525 from 21 votes
Fauquier Family Shelter Services, $500 from 20 votes
Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, $500 from 20 votes

PARTICIPATING SENIORS BY SCHOOL

Fauquier High School, 225
Kettle Run High School, 252
Liberty High School, 232
Highland School, 48
Wakefield School, 27
Fresta Valley Christian School, 17