High school volunteers secure nearly $1,000 for Lake Erie Nature & Science Center

Two teen volunteers at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center single-handedly secured a nearly $1,000 corporate donation to support the Bay Village nonprofit. Vince DiGennaro and Sean Waitkus went into the board room to compete for funds under the Farmers Insurance Future Leaders Development Program.

“It was a wonderful program and experience," said DiGennaro. “Although nerves got to us in the beginning, we were relaxed by the end of the presentation, thanks to hours of preparation.”

DiGennaro and Waitkus developed a 20-minute PowerPoint and video presentation to explain why the nonprofit charity of their choice should receive a donation. A panel of company leaders judged competing student pitches. The Farmers Insurance Future Leaders Program is aimed at fostering the development of student leadership, communication and negotiation skills; exposing students to a corporate environment and helping students raise money for charities they feel passionate about.

“Not only do we both love animals, but we both are extremely interested in science and conservation,” said DiGennaro. “We both chose to volunteer at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center because its mission and vision line right up with what we want to do for the rest of our lives. I’m sure our passion was apparent to the judges and it really benefited us.”  

DiGennaro and Waitkus are both involved in North Olmsted High School’s SITES (Social Involvement Through Education and Service) Program. Waitkus has logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center and won the Volunteer Service Award at his high school for three years running. He is an aspiring naturalist with plans to study wildlife at Hocking College.          

“During my time as a Center volunteer, I’ve had the most incredible and unique experiences,” said Waitkus. “How many people get to hold a red-tailed hawk, help care for a bald eagle or drape a huge boa constrictor around their shoulders?”  

DiGennaro has accumulated more than 100 volunteer hours at the Center since September 2010. He plans to attend the University of Miami (Florida) to study meteorology and marine science.

Farmers Insurance is the third largest insurer in the United States, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center features a planetarium, wildlife rehabilitation, more than 100 live animals on exhibit and a wide variety of educational offerings. The nonprofit organization offers free admission and annually serves more than 180,000 children and adults. For more information, visit www.lensc.org or call 440-871-2900.