While teachers are piling a lot of academic pressure on kids these days, Mesa philanthropist John Whiteman has heaped another big responsibility on fifth and sixth graders at Holmes Elementary School. He’s charged them with deciding how to divvy up an $11,500 donation to Mesa United Way.

The retired CEO of heavy-equipment dealership Empire Southwest in Mesa and president of the Whiteman Foundation has pledged $100 to Mesa United Way in the name of each of the 115 students. It’s up to them to decide how the money is to be spent, the only stipulation being that it must go to reputable tax-exempt charities.

Whiteman and Mesa United Way officials hatched the “Kids in Philanthropy” concept during a meeting a few months ago and Holmes, tucked in a low-income neighborhood near Southern Avenue and Horne, was picked for the pilot program. Whiteman met with the students and challenged them to research local charities and then to make their decisions. Representatives of several major non-profits, including A New Leaf, Child Crisis Center and United Food Bank, then were invited to make presentations during a recent assembly. The students took notes and asked questions.

“Character education is important and we need to start at an early age,” Whiteman said. “And if kids are going to give back to their community, they need to learn to do the research. This program teaches teamwork, empathy, compassion and helping each other. They need to apply math and their ABCs to accomplish it.”

Whiteman, who is involved in several early-childhood enrichment programs around the Valley, said he hopes the pilot Kids in Philanthropy program will inspire other business people to adopt a school or even a class.

“You can make a huge difference in any school,” he said. “This is a lot of money to these kids and they’re taking their responsibility very seriously.”

For more information about Kids in Philanthropy, call Claudia Walters, vice president of Mesa United Way, at 480-834-2127, or email claudia.walters@mesaunitedway.org.

Fabian Gutierrez, 12, sixth grade: “It’s great that (John Whiteman) spent time with us and $100 to help people in need, because a lot of people are in need right now.”

Ruben Nieto, 10, fifth grade: “I would choose (an agency) that helps children in need. I like (Kids in Philanthropy) because it teaches us to be a better person.”

Mayra Leon, 10, fifth grade: “I’ll choose by how much money goes to the children and families rather than the workers. This teaches us to care about other children instead of our favorite toy.”

Lizeth Lizarraga, 12, sixth grade: “I want my money to go to the Child Crisis Center because children who are abused and neglected probably need help most of all.”

Tristan Aragon, 11, fifth grade: I want to help A New Leaf because they help families that don’t have a home or a place to live.”