Gap Inc. Founders' AwardEvery year Gap Inc. sponsors programs to foster and honor the philanthropic spirit of its' founders Doris and Don Fisher.
Dionne's first experience with these programs was in 2007, when she was awarded a position with Community Corps, traveling to Guatemala.
The first place
Founders' Award winner receives $50,000 for the chosen Community Partner, second place is $25,000 and the third place recipient receives $15,000 toward their charity of choice.
The deadline for the application is May 13th.
We are really focusing on a sustainable food program for our schools. So many children are unable to attend because their families need the income they can generate for food. We will help them garden organically and raise chickens. The food will help feed the kids at school and also provide much relief for so many families in need.
Send us your positive energy and vibes,
we're feeling great about our chances this year!
We'll post our application here for you to see once completed.
Someone has to win. Why not us?
Dionne Robertson
Founders' Award Application, 20093. Volunteer History
Heifer Project International1 World Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72202
Tel.: (800) 422-0474
Heifer is a non-profit organization that uses your tax-deductible contributions to purchase gift animals or tree seedlings to help families around the world become self-reliant. The training provided by Heifer ensures that plants and animals stay healthy and productive.
2006-Present
I have been participating in payroll deduction thru Gap for Heifer since 2006.
Greater San Marcos Youth Council1402 IH 35 North
San Marcos, TX 78666
Craig Corbin – (512) 754-0500
A children’s home that provides a safe, loving environment for abused and neglected children.
2006 – Present
Every 2 months
I organize clothes and school supply drives at work for the children. Many kids come into the home with only the clothes on their backs. Our regular donations provide the children’s home with sizes to meet many needs.
Habitat for Humanity, San Marcos ChapterP.O. Box 1594
San Marcos, Texas 78667
Telephone: (512) 754-8142
Habitat for Humanity seeks to eradicate poverty and homelessness from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
2007 – Present
Habitat for Humanity, GuatemalaCommunity Corps 2007
Solola, Guatemala
I was awarded a position on the 2007 Community Corps team. We participated in the building of 3 homes in Solola, Guatemala.
October, 2007
CASA of Central TexasPO Box 1267
San Marcos, TX 78667
Debbie Haynes – (512) 392-3578
CASA advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
In March, I organized a group from our store to sponsor a water station for the CASA 5K and Half Marathon. As a center, we raised over $2000 with help from the Gap Match program.
Pueblo a Pueblo, Inc.
*Tree of Life: Mayan Branches for Education ProgramPO Box 11486
Washington, DC 20008
Rosemary Trent – (202) 302-0622
Bonnie Dilger – Program Director in Santiago
bonniea2@hotmail.com
Pueblo a Pueblo looks to empower Guatemalan individuals, organizations and communities to improve their own lives by facilitating access to services, commodities and financial resources.
In March, I traveled to Eorm Chu’ul school in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala to deliver donated clothes and school supplies from a drive I organized at my store. We had enough participation for $500 in Field Team Grants.
4. Community Impact
I had the amazing opportunity to experience Guatemala for the first time as a part of Community Corps 2007. That experience changed my life by expanding my thinking about how I can make a positive and lasting impact, even in exotic, far-off places. Upon returning home, I felt strongly compelled to help the few remaining indigenous Maya that have suffered centuries of oppression, religious assault and murder, much from their own government. It is conceivable that this proud and once powerful culture could be close to decimation within 50 years if the issues of poverty, hunger and education are not addressed.
I made my second trip to Guatemala in December 2008 with my partner, Crystal and family; we knew we wanted to make a difference but we didn’t know where to start. Then we met Bonnie Dilger, an American who lives in the highlands of Guatemala and dedicates her time to assisting and improving schools in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. Once this opportunity presented itself, we sprung to action and in January 2009, Crystal and I created our own grass-roots organization, Austin Friends Of Guatemala.
Crystal built a beautiful and inspiring website, www.AustinFriendsOfGuatemala.com. We received our first donations within days of the site going live… we were beyond ecstatic!
I immediately began a school supply and clothing drive at work with overwhelming interest and participation. During our store inventory, a woman on the inventory crew inquired about the drive. She was so moved by our endeavors that she donated eight brand new binders to our cause! We had enough participation in the supply drive to qualify for two Field Team Grants totaling $500 for our non-profit partner in Guatemala, Pueblo a Pueblo, Inc. Two months later we were ready for our first trip to Santiago as ‘Austin Friends Of Guatemala’.
In the short time since we started this organization, we had raised over $1100 and collected 4 large, overflowing suitcases full of donated school supplies and clothes. All the while, raising awareness about the plight of the Maya and disseminating fresh ideas of culturally-appropriate change and “voluntourism”. Crystal and I, along with two other members of ‘Austin Friends of Guatemala’, travelled to Santiago, armed with the donations and money to buy food for the children at Eorm Chu’ul. We spent a day at the school delivering clothes and school supplies to the elated and appreciative kids. We then went to the local market and purchased rice, beans, bananas and cooking oil for the school.
With over 50% of Guatemalans living in poverty, hunger is a major issue in the children’s ability to learn. When well nourished, these kids often test higher than American kids because they are so eager to attend school. My most memorable volunteer experience came when we were leaving the school after our day of volunteering and the kindergarten class shouted in unison, “Gracias por la comida!!” In English, “Thank you for the food.” I will never forget it!
5. Community Partner
Pueblo a Pueblo, Inc. 6. $50,000 Grant
With almost 50% of the citizens of Guatemala under the age of 18, the children truly are the countries best hope. Achieving systemic change and affecting future generations starts right now. These people are some of our last remaining, true natives. Once in tune with nature and the heavens, many of their children now live in dumps after years of civil war and natural disasters.
We’ve identified several areas within the two schools of our focus where the money is most urgently needed.
Sustainable Food ProgramFeeding the kids is our most urgent effort. Learning and retention cannot happen when these children’s most basic needs are not met. Currently the schools menu consists of beans and rice, but many times supplies run short. During our March 2009 visit we found our timing was divine as the school food supply had run out the day before we arrived. Many of the children were malnourished, some losing hair. We are in the process of adding milk, eggs, vegetables and fruit to the menu. One child told Bonnie he wanted to eat chicken. It is our goal to ensure they get it!
For sustainability, we have plans to construct vegetable gardens and chicken coops at both
schools and train the teachers and children how to care for and maintain these new programs of stewardship.
Just one hen can produce more than 200 eggs per year. They require very little space and are inexpensive to raise; eating food scraps and leftovers from the garden. Eggs are very high in protein and can greatly improve nutrition. The droppings can be used as fertilizer versus harsh chemicals to help in the garden.
We’ll also construct compost piles at each school to further the understanding of sustainable living. All appropriate food scraps will break down to produce rich, organic soil to put back into their gardens.
Poverty is such a pressing issue that many children must forego school in order to work to help feed the family. These new food programs will begin a small food bank so children can take extra food home to their families. This will incentivize parents to send their kids to school, effectively starting a chain reaction of hope and progress.
Our next area of focus is to install a
purified water system at both schools. When recently examined by a doctor, many of the kids tested positive for parasites due to unclean water. Parasites can cause cramping and chronic diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and serious illness.
Dental CareWe will have a Dentist examine the children’s teeth, provide them with toothbrushes and teach them about the importance of oral health. This is just one more way we can help protect the lives of the Guatemalan children.
Facility UpgradesThe bathroom at one school is in deplorable condition. We will use a portion of the funds to remedy this situation.
7. 80 Hours of Paid Time
I will travel to Guatemala and be absolutely hands-on through out the entire process. I will be so excited to participate in the planning and construction of the new stewardship programs at the schools. I have been an avid and successful organic gardener for many years and know first-hand the feelings of joy, wonder, triumph and self-reliance that come from growing your own food. Guatemala enjoys a year round growing season in rich, volcanic soil. When properly planted even the smallest of gardens can yield huge results.
In the interest of stimulating the local economy, we will purchase needed construction materials from Guatemalan vendors. Fathers of the children will invest “sweat equity” in the construction of the gardens, compost bins and chicken coops. We will identify and recruit local “champions” from around the pueblo to continue to support the teachers and students in maintaining these exciting new programs. By utilizing the areas natural resources we can begin earth-friendly, sustainable food programs to transform the lives of the children and their families alike. Not only will these systems teach the students to feed themselves and help support their families, it will give them a sense of pride, accomplishment and hope for a brighter future. The importance of making a contribution to something larger than ourselves is a feeling no one should be denied. The gift of being a part of an uplifting and self-sustaining cooperative effort will no doubt make a lasting impression on all involved.
Installing a purified water system will be an absolute priority. Having access to clean water is a basic human right that will make a huge difference in the kid’s health. Clean drinking water and foods rich in vitamins, minerals and protein will make substantial improvements in the health and learning abilities of these students.
Yet another problem this level of poverty presents is the necessity of child labor. It is not uncommon to see a six year old carrying a machete thru the cornfields. An effort will be made to locate school dropouts to ascertain their reason for leaving school. Many times it is only a matter of providing the family with maize for tortillas along with rice and beans, as the family needs the income the children could generate just for food. Providing a food program for these schools, along with the food bank generated by the gardens and chicken coops is the difference between a decent education and illiteracy.
The systems we are putting in place are building blocks for these children’s future. They are easily replicated and will enable more and more of the disadvantaged to help pull themselves up out of what was once a hopeless situation. I realize now more than ever that I can create positive and lasting change. I feel blessed to work for a company that holds that perfect space for each of us to truly “Be What’s Possible”.