Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Presented to an individual, group, organization, corporation or foundation with a record of exceptional leadership and results in encouraging youth (through age 18) to: learn about and participate in philanthropy by planning and implementing a fundraising program to benefit a specific organization(s) or cause(s); demonstrate leadership in a specific organization(s) or cause(s); serve as role models for other youth and/or encourage other youth to participate in philanthropy. The amount of time spent in service through philanthropy will be considered.
Winner ~ Finnegan McCarthy
Nominated By ~ Cancer Support Community
At 12 years old, Finnegan McCarthy serves as a junior ambassador CSC. From fundraising through lemonade sales to speaking in front of 200 people at a convention, his passion for programs supporting families and children impacted by cancer is evident.
When Finn was a young boy, his father was diagnosed with cancer and has been battling the disease with a variety of treatment and surgeries. Despite being young, Finn recalls details about the surgery, visits to the hospital, seeing where his father received radiation treatment and the life-threatening surgery. Finn and his family have a strong bond and it has grown even deeper despite increasingly difficult years.
Finn and his mom, Nancy, participated in programs offered by Cancer Support Community throughout the journey. These family programs included “Walking the Dinosaur”, kids in the kitchen, social connection events, youth specialty programs and more. Both Nancy and Terry have also participated in support programming at the center. Nancy and I first met the family when they volunteered at the center in the courtyard and in preparation of the first backyard bash event celebrating national survivor’s day. All the boys worked tirelessly with joy and humility.
At the age of nine, Finn decided to host a lemonade stand to raise contributions to Cancer Support Community so that “he could help more families like his”. Finn raised money for family programs in both 2016 and 2017. Finn’s philanthropic heart and initiative led us to a presentation at a company sales meeting. The company was so impressed with his heart, they awarded Cancer Support Community a 10,000 gift toward programming in Finn’s honor. Finn’s enthusiasm for helping others has been contagious – his elementary school embraced continuing the joy of helping others.
