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 and embodies the philanthropic spirit of the recipient. This marks the third year Mr. Vandehaar’s students have created the artwork to celebrate philanthropy in the community, carrying on an over 20 year tradition. Thank you to Mr. Vandehaar and the students for providing such beautiful and unique pieces for this year’s celebration!

 

Student Awards

Shelby Kulish 

Fareway Stores – Outstanding Large Corporate Philanthropy

Since 1938, Fareway has been spreading kindness by bringing people together and treating them like family. Through the years, Fareway has made a vast impact on the community with its countless contributions, support, donations, and simple acts of kindness. Fareway’s values beam a light to the doors that obtain open arms to any and every citizen, as the employees greet with genuity. Within this piece, my ambition consisted of capturing the kindness among those who are giving. With the homemade jelly and used flour, it shows the homeliness, trust, and friendship that arises from one simple act of giving, as Fareway continuously carries out these acts towards millions of people each day.

Ella Keuning 

F&G – Outstanding Small Corporate Philanthropy

I created this piece to showcase F&G’s passion for providing essential resources to the communities around them. Over the years, they have made donations to organizations like the Food Bank of Iowa and the Children & Family Urban Movement. A few years ago, F&G raised 800,000 dollars through United Way. They came up with the theme “Road Trip,” which inspired me to create this piece to celebrate all of the incredible achievements F&G has accomplished throughout the years.

Kaci Vanlaningham

Jose Luis Hernandez – Outstanding Individual Philanthropist

I made this piece to be representative of Jose’s impact on Al Éxito’s Mary E. Campos scholarship. His fundraising doubled the money available to the scholarship program, receiving donations from Iowa, Hawaii, Florida, California, Chile, Canada, and Puerto Rico. All of their flags have been included in this piece. Because of his efforts sixteen scholarships were awarded to applicants in 2022. For some of the recipients, I represented their intended major to show the variety of interests possessed by the students. I also included portraits of the scholarship winners, Jose, and Mary Campos to show the people his work has had an impact on.  

Addisyn Marvin

Douglas A. West – Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

I created this piece because of Mr. West’s generous donations to the Des Moines Performing Arts Theater. Mr. West has created a better theater experience for so many performers, adults and children alike, as well as any audience that comes to see a show. I hope he is able to experience great pride in witnessing his numerous accomplishments that make lives better.

Cheyenne Grater

Brenlyn Knutson – Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy

I created this piece to represent the young women who have more opportunities when they have access to feminine products. Those who cannot afford them, miss school and work causing them to lose opportunities therefore keeping them in poverty. I painted three young girls linked to each other representing the comradery of women in the community which is what makes an organization like this work. I also wanted to include lilies throughout the piece representing femininity and fertility. These necessities should not be treated like luxuries, thank you for all you do to make access to them possible for young women.