Nine year-old Henry Bach (who
participates in our After-School Enrichment Program at P.S. 30 along with his
sister Madelyn) pledged $100 to NYCID at our Annual Benefit this past June. We were so impressed with both Henry and his
sister Madelyn's generosity that we asked them, and their father Ken, to share
their stories with us.
Henry
How old are you & what grade
are you in? I'm nine and I'm in
fourth grade.
What activities do you
participate in through NYCID’s After-School Program? I
did fencing and Legos. Legos was kind of boring because it wasn't really Legos
and fencing was awesome. I got to sword fight with some of my best friends and
learned that fencing is a lot like light sabers.
What are your favorite
hobbies/subjects? My favorite
hobbies include basketball and baseball. My favorite subject is social studies
because we get to learn about presidents and do interesting research on them.
How did you raise the money you
donated? I've made lemonade
stands with my sister and I save my birthday money. If my dad offers me $5 to
spend at the dollar store, I usually only spend one or two.
Why did you want to donate? What
inspired you to want to give to NYCID? I wanted to donate because
my dad works with people at NYCID and it helps my school. It helps me make friends in the
programs. I want to compliment Dominick
and the man from Camelot on how nice they were.
What do you hope the money you
donated will accomplish? I hope
the money makes more programs to help more people and make them happy. I hope
it keeps people out of hobo shelters. Giving the money makes me a better
person.
Madelyn made the
winning bid on the silent auction item for a party at the Staten Island Zoo
How old are you & what grade
are you in? I am ten years old
and I'm in fifth grade.
 |
| Madelyn Bach |
What activities do you
participate in through NYCID’s After-School Program? When
I was in fourth grade I participated in the drama program. It was fun because I
made new friends. Also we did fun exercises. I learned “Bruno the Bear sits in
the sun munching lots of honey buns.” We
had to say it in a funny voice to exercise our voices.
What are your favorite
hobbies/subjects? I like to sing
and dance. My favorite subject is PE because you're sitting in a classroom all
day and you get to exercise and hang out with your friends. I like art class
because you learn about artists and you learn how to paint.
How did you raise the money you
donated? My friend and I sold
lemonade from her front yard to the neighborhood and some really annoying and
gross kids. But money is money! I also save my money from my birthday.
Why did you want to donate? What
inspired you to want to give to NYCID?
I donated money because I wanted to help support the program and help
families in trouble and because I really wanted a Zoo party.
What do you hope the money you
donated will accomplish? I hope
the money I donated can help people.
Their Father, Ken Bach,
Shares His Perspective
How did you teach your children
about charitable giving? Leadership by example is more than a
catchphrase on a motivational poster. Children are amazing. They learn from every clue around them. I haven’t taught them about charitable giving
– they have learned by what we do.
Through Rotary, I
have been giving back to the community for many years. My children ask about Rotary and where I am
going. I always tell them, “I am going out to change the world!” Later, as we drive around the island, I show
them where we’ve served holiday meals to the homeless, where we assembled
turkey baskets and the neighborhoods we deliver to, and the parks that we help
maintain. This year, they are both eager
to join me on these and other projects.
Often we get, “Why do we need a babysitter again tonight?” Well, a frequent response begins with “Because Mommy and Daddy are going to a fundraiser.” We let them know the goal might be to help raise scholarships for really smart students who can’t afford college or the local Boy Scout troop or children with autism. When they heard we were attending the NYCID event, and that it was the organization that ran the after-school programs that touched their lives, there was no keeping them away.
 |
| Ken and Henry Bach |
Were you surprised by Madelyn
& Henry’s actions at our benefit? I was surprised at how
comfortable they felt at the event, and that Henry actually chose to wear a
button down shirt without being asked.
Madelyn was intrigued by the silent auction items, and I was proud that
she came to us and informed us that she wrote her name on the item of her
choice. We approved her bid amount and
she was amazed she won, especially since Mom and Dad won nothing.
And yes, I was shocked by Henry’s energetic and unanticipated hand raising at the $1,000 challenge request, amused at his persistence down the scale, and proud of his $100 contribution. They still talk about the event, further spreading the culture of giving with their friends.
And yes, I was shocked by Henry’s energetic and unanticipated hand raising at the $1,000 challenge request, amused at his persistence down the scale, and proud of his $100 contribution. They still talk about the event, further spreading the culture of giving with their friends.
Do you talk with them about
people that need help? Given my job, family activities and our
community, there are always conversations.
Part of parenting is helping the children to make sense of the millions
of clues they need to assimilate. It is
important my children acknowledge they may not have as many material goods as
some, but that they do have more than many.
They know when to accept help and when to provide help.
Is this the first time they’ve
made charitable contributions?
Henry and Madelyn have a long history of compassion and giving back,
although this was the first time in such a sophisticated setting. While attending elementary school in upstate
NY, Madelyn hosted a web-based TV show where she interviewed the administration
and staff. She was honored by the City
of Kingston for her artwork, which was later placed into a gallery that helped
raise awareness of the dangers of swimming after the unfortunate drowning of an
eight-year-old. Madelyn and Henry also
organized sledding parties where kids brought new, wrapped toys that we
delivered to local children in need.
Recently, Madelyn hosted a lemonade stand to raise money for her CYO
basketball team, and they both want to volunteer for the Parks Department.
Do
you have any advice for others?
As you enjoy the company of friends, remember those who are lonely. As you embrace your family, remember those
who are in conflict. As you sit down to
dinner, remember those without a meal.
Donate and help make a difference.
Volunteer and change a life. You may be surprised that the life that
most benefits from the change is your own.
Is there anything else you would
like to share? NYCID’s outreach
programs provide a rich after-school curriculum to help expand a child’s
horizons for working and stay-at-home parents, and their conflict management
programs help people learn how to emerge victorious from a seemingly hopeless
situation.
Also, walk the Greenbelt. Look at the nighttime sky. Relearning our place in the universe is a great way to put our existence into context.
Do you have some suggestions about how to grow young philanthropists? Please share them in the comments below.
Also, walk the Greenbelt. Look at the nighttime sky. Relearning our place in the universe is a great way to put our existence into context.
Do you have some suggestions about how to grow young philanthropists? Please share them in the comments below.
