TEACHERS + STAFF CONTRIBUTE TO PHILANTHROPIC CAUSES BY WEARING DENIM When Julie Szolek-Van Valkenburg (or
been a local food serving organization
“I believe in the two-pronged approach to
Julie SVV, as she is known at Sycamore)
that has been selected, and the American
giving that involves both financial giving
joined the school three years ago as
Cancer Society has been selected each
and the giving of time through volunteer
the Human Resources Coordinator,
year as well,” she says. “Indy Reads has
service,” she says. “Our Head of School
she inherited a year-long fundraiser
been a popular choice. And I have noticed
(Diane Borgmann) was very enthusiastic
called the Clayton Denim Days project,
an increase in contributions when the
and supportive when I approached her
named in honor of retired Head of
faculty and staff were asked in a survey
last year about adding a volunteer service
Early Childhood, Francine Clayton. It
to vote on which organizations that they
opportunity for our faculty and staff. Last
is Sycamore’s faculty and staff trimester
would like to contribute to.”
year, it was a one day event of volunteer
voluntary charitable contribution
service on a Saturday at Gleaners Food
program. Each trimester during the school
Teachers understand that there isn’t a
Bank. This year, we were able to offer
year, money is raised and donated to
stated contribution amount, and Julie
three days of volunteer service with two
various organizations, with the faculty and
says she lets all faculty and staff know up
different organizations.” (See related story)
staff contributing money one day each
front that contributing is voluntary, and it
month so that they can wear jeans.
is up to each faculty and staff member to
She says the feedback she gets about the
decide what works best for them and their
volunteering is what you might expect
family finances.
from a school like Sycamore. “I remember
In 2017, Sycamore sent a check to the American Cancer Society for $762, to
someone sharing with me how rewarding
Gleaners Food Bank for $870, and to Indy
“I have had contributions from $3 all
the day was, and how they believed that
Reads for $776.
the way up to $200. One of my favorite
giving money helps organizations do
stories is the time one teacher brought in
the good work that needs to be done in
“Each year I survey our faculty and staff
an envelope full of money that she and
communities, and doing volunteer service
on which organizations they would like
her husband had found on a walk,” Julie
puts a face on poverty as you interact with
to contribute to in the community,” Julie
remembers. “They tried to find out whose
those whom you are serving.” n
says. “The three organizations getting the
it was, and when they didn’t have any luck
most votes are then selected for the year,
with that, they decided to contribute it to
one organization for each trimester of the
our selected organization for that trimester.”
academic year.” Szolek-Van Valkenburg says she likes She says there are organizations that are
seeing the Sycamore faculty and staff
annual favorites, plus new ones that are
have an opportunity to contribute to
chosen. “For the three years that I have
organizations that are making a difference
coordinated this effort, there has always
in our community.
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