The Putnam County Community Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Kids Make Change challenges, celebrating the incredible philanthropy of local elementary students. Through a combination of artistic talent and community fundraising, this year’s participating classrooms have demonstrated that you are never too young to make a big difference.
Kids Make Change is the elementary-level cornerstone of PCCF’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative, which educates and empowers the next generation of Putnam County philanthropists. The program begins in the classroom, where second graders learn the meaning of a big word: philanthropy. Through interactive lessons, students explore how they can share their time, talent, and treasure to help people in their community.
Following the educational lessons, schools are challenged to put those concepts into action through two exciting spring competitions: an art contest and a coin drive.
The 2026 Kids Make Change art contest winner is Lincoln Merchant from Cloverdale Elementary School. Lincoln’s winning artwork earned Cloverdale Elementary a $500 grant. For the art contest, students use their talent to visually express what philanthropy means to them. Lincoln’s creative design will be featured on the cover of the Community Foundation’s official thank-you cards throughout the year.
The 2026 Kids Make Change coin drive winner is Deer Meadow Primary School. Second graders at Deer Meadow pooled their treasure and rallied their school community to raise nearly $1,000. Their hard work earned Deer Meadow Primary an additional $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation to supplement their efforts.
True to the spirit of philanthropy, the students at Deer Meadow chose to direct their coin drive proceeds toward a student support fund, providing food and other absolute essentials directly to classmates and students in need. Along the way, educators utilized the coin drive to engage students in real-world classroom connections, blending lessons on giving with math concepts like coin counting.
“The Putnam County Community Foundation hopes to build a culture of philanthropy starting with our youngest students,” said Sarah Stone, Putnam County Community Foundation Communications Director. “We are continuously blown away by the compassion and commitment of our county’s second graders. Seeing the students at Deer Meadow Primary dedicate their hard work to taking care of their peers, and seeing the creative spirit of students like Lincoln, proves that our future is in very good hands.”
The Putnam County Youth Philanthropy Initiative began in 2006 and includes three distinct programs designed to serve Putnam County students throughout their school careers: Kids Make Change (elementary school), the Darrel Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest (middle school), and the Youth Philanthropy Committee (high school).
PCCF extends its congratulations to Lincoln, the second graders at Deer Meadow Primary, and all of the Putnam County schools, teachers, and families who participated in making this year’s program a resounding success.