Recently a Walpole resident heard about the fundraiser Jaxon held for LBF (Little Big Forest). She then read about it in the Feb. article in the Keene Sentinel. She contacted a friend of hers in Stoddard who told her more about the LBF. She went to the LBF website and read my post about Jaxon raising $900. She was so impressed that she sent a check for $1,500.
I am interpreting that as a match for Jaxon’s efforts which means this:
- Jaxon raised $936.00. It qualified for a match grant that 4 friends of the LBF established (which was $110,000 match grant). That makes a total of $1872.oo;
- The Walpole $1,500 donation also qualifies for the match, so that doubles to $3,000;
- Jaxon’s fundraiser had a multiplying effect resulting in a whopping $4,872.00!!
- Now hang on: Mason Bodner and friends raised $370 in April of 2022 and added another $25 from Olde Home Days lemonade sales, for a total of $395. Unfortunately his effort was before our match was made, so his effort isn’t multiplied, but his and Jaxon’s effort means the JFES students contributed $5,267.00 to the LBF fundraising effort.
Getting JFES students to become stakeholders in Stoddard’s stewardship of conservation lands was a primary goal of the LBF effort. It looks like some seeds have been planted.
There is a lesson in math and financial leveraging in there somewhere…..along with other lessons I am sure you will think of
Please share this great news with your colleagues and your students, parents and friends. This is outstanding!!!
PS: we are very excited to announce Jaxon’s older sister Jaelynn will be joining the Stoddard Conservation Commission as a new member.