Change Matters Celebrates Student Service and Philanthropy

Change Matters, the student community service and philanthropy initiative, celebrated its 5th anniversary with award presentations and a concert by the Bethel Emmanuel Youth Orchestra.  Educators, students and elected officials attended. 

Change Matters, which began as a pilot project at Howard High School in 2008, has raised over $100,000 to fund programs and services at Grassroots, Howard County’s only round the clock crisis intervention center and homeless shelter. 

The “Change Matters Super Hero” award went to Ellicott Mills Middle School, its principal Mike Goins, and service learning coordinators Brice Dawson and Matt Gaiseki.  The school was cited for its comprehensive campaign, which included all three grade levels.  In addition to classroom presentations about poverty and homelessness, the campaign included a school-wide walkathon fundraiser and other activities. 

“Special Friends of Change Matters” awards were presented to retired Student Service Learning Coordinator Ken Gill, The Horizon Foundation, and Laura Sines, a Zumba instructor who has volunteered her services at various student Zumbathon fundraising events.

The anniversary celebration also honored “5-Year Change Matters Champions,” schools that have participated in the initiative since the beginning.  Honorees included Atholton, Centennial, Glenelg, Hammond, Howard and Mt. Hebron High Schools.

“Four-year Change Matters Champions” included middle schools that have participated since the initiative was launched as a Student Service Learning option. Honorees included Elkridge, Folly Quarter, Glenwood, Lime Kiln and Murray Hill Middle Schools.

Deep Run and St. John’s Lane Elementary School s were honored as “2-Year Change Matters Champions.”  The two were pilot schools for Change Matters at the elementary school level.

Entertainment was provided by Bethel Emmanuel Youth Orchestra, now in its twelfth season.  The orchestra has an extensive community outreach effort and has performed for people with disabilities, older adults and new immigrants. A reception and refreshments concluded the event.

Among the attendees at the Change Matters Anniversary Celebration were five members of the original 2008 planning team: (from l.) Walker Smith, Alison Spatz, Corinne Tomaszewski, Lunden Hawkins and Dylan Singleton.