'Pay it forward' not just a slogan for Coshocton County Youth Leadership participants

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·4 min read

COSHOCTON − "Pay it forward" is more than a slogan to members of Coshocton County Youth Leadership.

Leadership Coshocton County is a program focused on fostering adult leaders in the community by teaching them leadership skills, doing community service projects and allowing them to connect with Coshocton County and all it offers in a meaningful way.

Courtney Snyder address a room of community stakeholders and supporters of Coshocton County Youth Leadership during a recent presentation of Pay it Forward projects by members of the leadership class of 2024. Students were given $100 to make a donation or to grow it through fundraisers for donation to a local person or organization.
Courtney Snyder address a room of community stakeholders and supporters of Coshocton County Youth Leadership during a recent presentation of Pay it Forward projects by members of the leadership class of 2024. Students were given $100 to make a donation or to grow it through fundraisers for donation to a local person or organization.

It is a similar program for high school juniors. Goals are to develop leadership abilities, increase self-confidence, give opportunities to interact and network and to learn more about the county they call home. The 2024 class has 15 students. Coshocton County Youth Leadership is funded by the Coshocton Foundation.

Program Director Betsy Gosnell said the Pay it Forward initiative started in 2017 and more than $10,000 has been given to the community since then.

"The impact of each individual project is not measured by financial contribution, but by what the giver learned about stewardship and philanthropy," she said. "It's always been the hope and goal of this project to develop lifelong philanthropists among our young leaders."

Recently, members gave presentations related to their Pay it Forward projects. They're given $100 and told to make a difference in someone's life by practicing philanthropy. Sometimes this is a simple donation to an individual or organization in need. Sometimes it's using the seed money to sponsor a fundraiser and grow the donation.

Colton Conkle of Coshocton High School used $100 from the Pay it Forward project of Coshocton County Youth Leadership to buy pet food, cleaning supplies and more for the Coshocton County Animal Shelter. Two other students chose the animal shelter for their cause as well.
Colton Conkle of Coshocton High School used $100 from the Pay it Forward project of Coshocton County Youth Leadership to buy pet food, cleaning supplies and more for the Coshocton County Animal Shelter. Two other students chose the animal shelter for their cause as well.

However, even the students who stuck with the $100 found it could be stretched more than they thought. Ally Fischer, Colton Conkle and Blaine Hostetler bought pet food and cleaning supplies for the Coshocton County Animal Shelter. Kylie Miller and Julian Rivera bought clothes and hygiene items for Blessed Again Ministry in Newcomerstown.

Miller said she was able to provide 35 toothbrushes, four packages of toothpaste, bottles of baby wash and baby lotion, wipes, bibs, diapers, blankets, socks and a few children's T-shirts.

"Being able to donate items to the organization made me feel like I had a great impact on a lot of people, even though it might seem like a small act and $100 really can't do anything," Miller said. "I know the items might not seem like much to a lot of us, but it truly means the world to a lot of people."

Lexa Guilliams of River View High School staged a Christmas for a Cause Family Night with a variety of activities for her Pay it Forward project as part of Coshocton County Youth Leadership. She was able to raise $2,217 from $100 initial given to benefit the family of Andrew Miller, a 9-year-old battling an inoperable brain tumor.
Lexa Guilliams of River View High School staged a Christmas for a Cause Family Night with a variety of activities for her Pay it Forward project as part of Coshocton County Youth Leadership. She was able to raise $2,217 from $100 initial given to benefit the family of Andrew Miller, a 9-year-old battling an inoperable brain tumor.

Brody Stevens of Coshocton Christian School used his $100 to buy Krispy Kreme doughnuts and resell them at Fresno Bible Church. It was a fundraiser he had done before through 4-H. By selling doughnuts over two weeks and other donations, he raised $1,500 for a 13-year-old girl battling cancer at the school.

"They were really excited. Before I could say anything they were like, 'God bless you and thank you so much for what you're doing in our lives. You're such a blessing to us.' It was really cool. I was speechless and didn't know what to say," Stevens recalled of giving the family the money. "I felt fulfilled and excited for what I was able to accomplish, but it wasn't about what I could do, it was about what I could do for them."

Lexa Guilliams of River View High School used the $100 to host Christmas activities for kids with money raised benefitting Andrew Miller of Conesville. The 9-year-old is battling an inoperable brain tumor. Through the event and other donations, Guilliams was able to donate $2,217 to the family for help with medical bills and other needs.

Guilliams became affiliated with the Miller family by working with Andrew's sister, Esther Miller, as a sixth grade camp counselor last fall. She learned about Andrew's plight through Esther and followed his progress on Facebook. Guilliams said she was amazed by the family's strength, faith and gratitude toward the community.

"I felt like God had placed this family in my life and on my heart and I wanted to do everything I could to bless this family with the opportunity I've been given," Guilliams said of the Pay it Forward project. "Ultimately, I am so thankful I was able to bless such an incredible family that not only inspires me, but everyone to have joy, smiles and trust that God will get you through whatever life throws your way."

Members of Coshocton County Youth Leadership Class 2024 are Brody Stevens, Sophia Skelton, Lexa Guilliams, Carter Kelley, Courtney Snyder, Ally Fischer, Mady Holand, Kylie Miller, Maggie Laaper, Julian Rivera, Colton Conkle, Anthony Cichon, Blaine Hostetler, Logan Fischer and Hope Mickle.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton County Youth Leadership teaches value of community service