On the scouting end, a new patch for philanthropy and corresponding age-appropriate activities have been developed for all levels of the Girl Scouts, from the youngest, Daisy Girl Scouts, to the eldest, Senior Girl Scouts. The Strength in Sharing Philanthropy Patch can be earned through activities that help girls develop a habit of giving. Cynthia Weber draws a distinction, however, between charity and philanthropy. Weber believes in the importance of the philanthropic example in society. Unless young people see philanthropy modeled for them by their parents or through their community's charitable traditions, shefears they won't realize their power to effect change through giving.
Family tradition can have a powerful effect in shaping attitudes toward giving.
Next Generation spoke to Laura McKenna, managing trustee of the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, on her family's tradition of philanthropy which spans several generations. McKenna and the other trustees are not paid for their Foundation work. In addition to managing the Foundation, McKenna is a nurse practitioner and volunteers once a week at the Catholic Worker Free Medical Clinic in North Philadelphia. McKenna's four children, who range in age from 11 to 19, understand and share her commitment to philanthropy. It is important to McKenna that she instill the desire to give back within her own children, just as it was impressed upon her by her own parents.