NORWICH – In September, 16 junior and senior high school students at Norwich City Schools set out to learn about non-profit organizations and their effect on the community. Last night, their journey came to an end, as the students awarded $10,000 to three area agencies they deemed worthy.

An awards celebration was held Thursday night at the Canasawacta Country Club. Youth Philanthropy Council Advisor Susan Fertig began the event by telling the crowd about the efforts of the students. To be part of the group, students had to submit applications. Those who were chosen for the project dedicated time after school to learn what a non-profit organization is and how they operate in the community. The students then began soliciting proposal requests from area agencies for program funding. The students judged each application and determined which proposals they would fund. “The students’ arrival here today is a huge accomplishment for them,” Fertig said, acknowledging the work they’d put in over the course of the year.

Student Colleen Monday said the Youth Philanthropy Council began as a combined effort between the Norwich High School, the Colgate Upstate Institute and the Chenango United Way. The $10,000 the students were able to allocate came from the Community Foundation of South Central New York, the Chenango County United Way, NBT Bank and the Weyhauser Family Foundation.