Clarke County Organization of Philanthropic Services, otherwise known as CCOPS, is a group of twenty students in Clarke County funded by the DEKKO Foundation. Interviews are held at the end of each school year to fill the graduating seniors’ spots from both Murray and Clarke Schools. The group then decides on a Focus and Mission Statement for the upcoming school year. This will be the focus for all events and granting throughout that year.
For the 2018-2019 school year, the focus was Health and Wellness. CCOPS has hosted multiple events such as putting together Thanksgiving food boxes, participating in Toys for Christmas shopping for over 100 families in need; the Holiday Brilliance event (in place of the Haunted Hustle) providing bags filled with nutritious snacks; the Dodgeball Tournament held at the Clarke High School; ordered Stress balls for semester testing at Murray and Clarke schools; aided in the Stress Management Day at Murray Community Schools; and held the Hound Hustle, a fun run with obedience demonstrations and adoptable shelter dogs at the Clarke County Fairgrounds.
CCOPS allocates funds each year for granting to non-profit organizations. The grant request must match with the focus for the year to be considered for approval. Granting approvals this year have included: $1,850 to the Murray Elementary for recess equipment and other tools promoting the wellness of students; $2,800 to the Murray weightlifting and special needs programs to purchase exercise equipment; $2,800 to the Clark County Sheriff’s Department for the K-9 training program to protect the wellness of the community; $1,300 to Clarke High School for their Leadership and Development Project for veterans; $500 to Mary Klein for “Mrs. Claus and her elves”; $900 to the Osceola Fire Department to purchase heaters for firefighters to use during the cold seasons; $1,000 to the City of Osceola for the creation of a new park. Additional requests are currently being processed.
We were thrilled to plan and execute these events throughout the year. We cannot wait to continue with a new focus for the 2019-2020 school year with our newly inducted members. Keep up with our current events on the CCOPS facebook page. On behalf of all CCOPS members, thank you for your continuous support of our organization!