Colorado Academy senior Eric Bear was honored on National Philanthropy Day in Colorado with an award as the Outstanding Youth, an annual award given by the Association for Fundraising Professionals in Colorado. Bear’s was one of 12 awards given state wide to honor philanthropists, volunteers, businesses, foundations, and schools that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the area of philanthropy.
Eric was selected for his work at the Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Hospital. The academy is a K-8 non-profit school for chronically ill children, and he was inspired to help the academy because of the doctors at National Jewish who treated his chronic asthma.
In bestowing the honor, the AFP noted Eric’s spirit of volunteering and giving, and his selflessness to improve the quality of life for chronically ill children.
Eric collected school supplies for the students at Morgridge through a community drive, including through the city of Golden and at Colorado Academy. Also, Eric tutors students at the Academy in math as they move past the K-8 school and into high school.
In bestowing the honor, the AFP noted Eric’s spirit of volunteering and giving, and his selflessness to improve the quality of life for chronically ill children. For his part, Eric thanked the doctors who cared for him, and without whom he would not be the active CA Upper School student that he is—including competing on CA’s soccer team and performing in CA’s conservatory theater program.
In accepting the award, Eric thanked Colorado Academy and his parents for helping to shape the person he is today.