Christian Vandehaar
Art Instructor, Bondurant-Farrar High School
Under the direction of Christian Vandehaar, Bondurant-Farrar High School art teacher, and with the support of the Community Foundation of Great Des Moines, these five students were selected to create this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards. Each piece is inspired by and embodies the philanthropic spirit of the recipient. This marks the sixth year Vandehaar’s students have created the artwork to celebrate philanthropy in the community, carrying on an over 20-year tradition. Thank you to Vandehaar and the students for providing such beautiful and unique pieces for this year’s celebration!
Student Awards
Jackson Halfhill
Outstanding Large Corporate/Foundation Philanthropy: Casey’s
As important as their contributions are, Casey’s impact extends far beyond monetary donations and charitable support. Casey’s is, in many respects, part of the lifeblood of Iowa. When someone from out of state asks about our food, it is hard not to think about Casey’s pizza. When envisioning any small town in this state, it is almost impossible to envision one without a bright red Casey’s sign sticking out in the middle of the pale blue sky or illuminating the black of the night. That is the thought process behind this work. Casey’s is an essential part of what makes this state home. I chose to reflect that through a scene almost any Iowan can recognize: a vibrant sunset over a yellowing cornfield, with a Casey’s set right in the middle of the scene, establishing it as the key element that makes the landscape truly Iowa.
Anastayzha Stover
Outstanding Small Corporate/Foundation Philanthropy: Community State Bank
Community State Bank is widely recognized for its selfless contributions to other communities and corporations. I had the honor of creating an art piece for them. I made a colored pencil composition of different types of birds in flight who represent those in the business, spreading their knowledge and gifts to everyone they meet on behalf of the bank. Small twigs grasped within some of the birds’ beaks and talons represent the help they bring to the world and their impact on communities. Their generosity has heavily impacted the communities we have today and inspires all of us for a greater good.
Maddison Martin
Outstanding Individual Philanthropists: Toni and Tim Urban
Originally, this piece was going to be centered around the main hands, the ones on the left side. These symbolize the help that Tim and Toni Urban have provided through their outreach to others of the community. I was particularly struck by their engagement with all facets of Oakridge Neighborhood Services, from construction to supplies. By reaching out, they have fostered the spirit of giving back. If you shift your perspective, though, you can see that their impact goes beyond that of pure aid. That ‘next step’ is what the uppermost hand displays. The Urbans’ initial impact reverberates out to the surrounding community, enabling a wider audience to receive the support they need, but also fostering further contribution and service.
Meredith McDonald
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca gave me the honor of creating an art piece inspired by her many hard years of work. While she dedicates a lot of her time to many organizations, Suzanna was especially chosen for her impact on The Young Women’s Resource Center. Within the YWRC, she inspired young women to become socially, economically, physically and financially well. Suzanna is a wonderful example of giving support to young women to ensure that they have a life full of possibilities. I was inspired by her work and made this colored pencil drawing of a little girl stepping into adult-sized heels. The little girl has seen the women around her and she is so inspired, leading her to want to be just like them. While many children lack positive role models, Suzanna has empowered countless young girls by showing them what is truly possible.
Quince Burton
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Ritika Shroff
Working with children and watching them grow is one of the most difficult tasks one can face. But children show us so much about ourselves that we didn’t know. They bring happiness, curiosity, creativity, and best of all, pride. Ritika Shroff’s accomplishments inspired me to create a piece based on childhood curiosity and raising students to be more than what they could ever dream. The child in the center peers into a globe held up by the hands of teachers, mentors and parents, keeping them from the deep values representing the darker, gloomier part of the world. Colors swirl around the young girl, more vibrant than below, to show how children see. They are young, unaffected. We hold their hopes up above the doubts to allow them to be creative and carefree. Allowing them to build aspirations of a great society.