Land of Lincoln CEO Program donates to local charities

 

[September 04, 2019]   A few Land of Lincoln CEO students visited the Rotary Club, Food Pantry, and Humane Society, presenting each local charity with a $500 check. Totaling $1,500, this money was raised through the students’ big business project during the 2018-2019 school year.

Parker Kistner and Colby Burt present a group of volunteers at the Food Pantry a check for $500.00.

Colby Burt and Parker Kistner present Mary Dowdel from the Humane Society a check for $500.00.

Parker Kistner and Colby Burt present Jeanne Lessen from the Rotary Club a check for $500.00. Also in the picture are Matt Arnold, Bob Alberts, and Dale Meier.

When asked why it's so important to give back to their community, Olympia student Parker Kistner stated, “Giving back is so important because the community does so much for individuals without asking for anything in return. It’s a way to show the community you care for what they do and that you want to be a part of it.”

Their big business project was a Murder Mystery Dinner presented by The Champaign-Urbana Theater Company featuring the “Seven Corpse Dinner”. Money raised was to pay for their own personal businesses, which includes: Austin’s Auto Wash, Willow’s Wax Works, Dust & Shine, Brody Baker Builds, OnTarget Media Management, On The Run, Know How Tutoring, Silicate Designs, Molly’s ABC’s, Pronto Delivery, Leashed Animal Photography, Little Miss Tea, and Time Out Training, with the remainder of the money going to local charities.

“All of these charities make a great impact in the community, therefore the least we can do is give back to them. They allowed our CEO class to visit and tour their facilities allowing us to immerse ourselves into what they really do,” Olympia High School student Colby Burt said.

The Land of Lincoln CEO Program experience is unique for students and builds leaders all across Central Illinois.

"CEO is an amazing opportunity that teaches young adults firsthand what the business world is really like through the eyes of local entrepreneurs.” CEO Facilitator Britta Langley said. “They learn why it's so important to keep business local and give back to their community.”

Entrepreneurship education seeks to prepare people, especially youth, to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers, and contribute to economic development and sustainable communities.

This year’s class had students from Lincoln, Mt Pulaski, Olympia and Hartsburg-Emden high schools. Started in the fall of 2015, this is the fourth year of the program.

The CEO class meets at a variety of business locations throughout Logan County in a non-traditional classroom. The upcoming school year they will meet at ALMH, Central Illinois Ag, Integrity Data, and State Bank of Lincoln.

If you would like to learn more about the CEO program, log onto www.landof lincolnceo.com.

[Britta Langley]