The Gift of Giving, Part II

Jennifer Hillman knows a simple truth. “When you help others, you help yourself. It’s how I was raised, what my husband and I taught our children and certainly what I’ve experienced through my philanthropic work. The gift is really to me,” she says.

Among her many philanthropic endeavors, Hillman manages the family’s scholarship program, Hillman Scholars, for first generation college students, and she has been instrumental in bringing WE Schools to Missouri, a program in which students learn about service leadership through volunteering, action and real-world problem solving in their own communities. YouthBridge has been an annual supporter of WE Schools.

“It’s so important to instill early in life the principles of empathy and advocacy – using your voice and gifts for change – so that it becomes a natural thing,” says Hillman. Giving can also be contagious, she notes. When Hillman was selected for a Women of Achievement Award in 2020, she attended a small gathering celebrating this volunteer award. She decided it was the perfect opportunity to provide each guest with a YouthBridge Giving Card, to pass on the gift of giving. Inspired by the gesture, one guest then purchased giving cards for company holiday gifts.

“I love the idea of the giving card, because it truly is planting a seed that can flourish in many places. The card gives the recipient the opportunity to donate to a cause important to them,” says Hillman “My hope is for all to experience the gift of giving; when you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, you know joy.”

Call us at (314) 985-6778 to learn more about Giving Cards for any occasion.