A group of Marshalltown High School students are learning you are never too young to start living your life for others.
The group, known as Students Teaching and Empowering Philanthropy, or STEP, started last year with a goal of helping others in the community. It received $5,000 in grant funds from the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation and researched organizations in need in the area and dispersed the money.
Area organizations which received funds from the STEP students last year included the House of Compassion, Child Abuse Prevention Services, the Marshall County Conservation Board, the Marshalltown Community Concert Association and the Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance.
"It was really nice to have our group really make a difference," said MHS student Riley Willman, who is one of the leaders of the 22-member STEP group.
Willman has been impressed with the fellow members of the group, who all seem to care about the community.
"They are all awesome kids," he said. "We're really proud of our organization."
They again plan to help with grants for area agencies and follow up on how the grants they handed out last year made a difference. The students will also try to start community service projects as a group this year.
"We'll be brainstorming soon," group member Theresa Miller said of their ideas for community service projects.
Heidi Pierson, program manager of the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation, serves as a mentor for the group but said it is primarily student driven.
"We're really trying to teach them about philanthropy and what that means," Pierson said.
