Mastering skills like cooking and growing food instills a sense of accomplishment in kids, boosting their confidence as they see tangible results from their efforts. In project-based learning, the teacher lays out only the goal and timeline, then it’s up to the students to collaborate in teams of mixed ages and abilities to take it from there.

To get the best ideas out of students, I firmly believe you have to throw out the rubric and leave a wide, wide runway for their ideas to take off. Allowing children to explore their interests and learn at their own pace, promotes independence, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of concepts, leading to more meaningful and enduring learning experiences. You are your own best teacher, munchkins.

If improving children’s mental health and boosting their confidence through building their competence is important to you, I hope you’ll look at our 2024 Sprout Sponsorship Program and talk with your club, group, church, family, or workplace about sponsoring a day, week, or month of Cooking and Gardening classes at the Make Our Day Garden Classroom in Aurora!

1. Process: What are the steps involved in sponsoring a day, week, or month of Make Our Day classes?

• For businesses or groups who would like to arrange for social media shoutouts, classroom signage, or an in-person donation delivery – Fill out this online sponsorship form OR Print this PDF Form and email or mail it back to info@makeourday.org / 516 S Carnation Dr Aurora, MO 65605
• For anonymous donations – you do not need to fill out a form, just send your donation via Venmo, Check, or Online Donation with the memo line “Sprout Sponsor”
• Venmo – info@makeourday.org
• Check – Make Our Day 516 S Carnation Dr Aurora, MO 65605
• Online Donation – Make Our Day will receive 100% of your donation, no credit card fees. Zeffy will add an optional platform fee at the end of your transaction and you can just manually change it to zero if you choose to.
• That’s it! Easy as putting your seeds in the ground and watching them grow!

2. Cost and Benefits: What are the sponsorship costs, and what benefits do sponsors receive in return? Are there different sponsorship levels with varying benefits?

• Yes – there are 3 suggested tiers. Day, week, and month.
• Bloomin’ Buddy – One Day Sponsorship
• Garden Guardian – One Week Sponsorship
• Harvest Hero – One Month Sponsorship

3. Our group can’t give cash but want to sponsor a day of class. Is there a non-cash option?

• Yes – you can buy this list of “always needed items” from Walmart and deliver it to the classroom on a Friday or schedule it for pick-up and we will go get it.

4. Recognition: How will sponsors be recognized for their support? Will there be opportunities for branding or acknowledgment in program materials or at events?

• Yes – you can choose a social media shoutout, classroom signage, or come to the classroom in person to participate in classes. If you choose classroom signage, you will need to provide that and we will give it back to you after your class or classes have ended.

5. Involvement: Can sponsors be involved in the program beyond financial support? Are there opportunities for sponsor representatives to volunteer or participate in program activities?

• Yes, we are actively seeking teen or adult volunteers for all 2024 classes. Responsibilities include supervising a small group of students just for safety and bathroom breaks, you do not need to teach an activity unless that is something you want to do.

6. Timeline: When do sponsorships need to be secured, and what are the deadlines for commitment? Are there specific timeframes or dates for sponsored classes?

• Make Our Day accepts class sponsorships year round as we host classes and camps year round. The Sprout Sponsorship program is direct sponsorship of these specific 24 classes in Aurora, Missouri. Sponsors are welcome to join us in person at the specific classes or classes you sponsor but you are not required to.