BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA — The Philanthropy 2026 Luncheon was hosted at the Nonprofit Center of East Alabama on June 18. Sponsored by the Samford Cannon Foundation, Philanthropy 101 is a three-week summer program for rising seniors at Opelika High School. Through classroom learning and hands-on experiences, students are able to see firsthand the growing needs in their community while developing the understanding, desire and ability for philanthropic service.
Philanthropy 101 teachers Samantha Shipman and Sam Cleveland shared their excitement for the impact the class has on the students and their passion for teaching philanthropy.
“These students sacrifice three weeks of their summer break, and they could be doing other things; they could be working, going on trips, but they were here, and preparation for this class started all the way back in February,” Cleveland said. “They had very adult expectations heaped upon them. They had to open bank accounts, they had to dress professionally, they had to learn formal etiquette and be open and engaged while listening to speakers that would come into our classroom, all while focusing on gratitude.”
“The main focus of this program is to put the principles of philanthropy to life,” Shipman said. “So for the past three weeks, students have had a jam-packed schedule of site visits and speakers and classroom discussions and practical life skills as well. They visited, volunteered with or heard from 16 organizations pretty much in the first two weeks of the program, which is a lot, and they found out how those organizations are meeting the various needs of people in the Opelika and larger community. Their eyes were open to all of the amazing ways that people in Opelika show up for one another.”
Students were given funds to donate to one of the nonprofits they were introduced to during the class, and presented why they chose that nonprofit.
Jahden Evans said he chose the Greater Peace Child Development Center, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families through mentorship and education.
Evans said the center provides resources and opportunities for kids and families.
“I am donating to the Greater Peace Child Development Center because they have played a very huge part in my life,” he said. “I went through their program as a child, I’ve graduated from their program and I really love the work that they are doing. I’m so honored to donate to them. I’ve been able to work behind the scenes with the Greater Peace Child Development Center as a volunteer with their program. I’ve been able to make plates for children, help children and be there for the children. I’ve also got to see firsthand the amount of effort, work and everything they pour into the children — it’s incredible.”
Kamryn Bowser said she is donating to the Boys and Girls Club of East Alabama, which is a nonprofit organization where the children, tweens and teenagers of the East Alabama community have a chance to go to a place where they can thrive without judgment, get involved with one another, unlock their full potential and much more.
“I chose the Boys and Girls Club because when I entered, I felt like I was a little kid again,” she said. “I felt like I was a kid playing kickball with the others, and when we played kickball, it was very intense. They were more competitive when we got there than they already were, and hearing the stories about [my peers] making bracelets with the other children in the front, not only shows that the children don’t have to be physical [with sports] to make relationships with one another, they can do simple hands-on activities like drawing, coloring, reading books or making bracelets. That shows that no matter what you do, you have a chance to make a relationship with each child that you meet.”
Eboni Terry said she chose the Big House Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that supports foster and adoptive families. Terry said BigHouse not only focuses on the foster children, but every part of the family unit, ensuring that experience is supported to make it as easy as possible.
“Many children end up aging out of the foster care system and are left to start their adult lives without the proper resources to be successful, but after visiting Big House, they gave me a bigger reason to my why,” she said. “Connecting with these kids without knowing their backstory or knowing what they have endured, and being in a space where they’re able to feel so full of love, joy and surrounded by a safe place, gave me my why. [BigHouse is] connecting the needs of foster families with the generosity of the community through the love of Jesus Christ, while focusing on meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the children. You can truly see and feel how each staff member pours endless love into the kids. I truly made the most of my short time at Big House.”
Other presentations included:
- Titus Elliott, Julysa Bussey and Izaya Marcus, who donated to Boxcar.
- Maddie Taunton, Duchess Guevara and Alaila Murdaugh, who donated to the Lee County Literacy Coalition.
- Jada Coleman, Brailynn Billingsley and Kyandra Reid, who donated to Storybook Farm.
- Katelyn Harris and Jaleigh Evans, who donated to Village Friends.
- Ayra Bradford and Mackenzie Christopher, who donated to O Grows.
- Amaarii Thomas and Hailey Moss, who donated to Miracle League.
Lucinda Cannon, board member for the Samford Cannon Foundation, thanked the students and Philanthropy 101 teachers for their dedication to the class and shared her passion for philanthropy.
“I want to thank the Opelika School Board, the superintendent’s office and Opelika High School for letting us put on this program,” she said. “We think it’s a benefit to nonprofits in Opelika to make young people aware of what is there. I want to add my appreciation to Ms. Shipman and Mr. Cleveland. This course would not be possible without that time and skill. It takes a lot of time to put on this course, a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”
