Reflecting on 20 years of service at Roosevelt
I sense that Friday will be a sad day for the close-knit group of volunteers whom I’ve been honored to get to know while we served breakfast to children at Janesville’s Roosevelt Elementary School. It is our last regularly scheduled day to serve; the district is switching to federally funded breakfast programs Jan. 28. While district officials say they want us to continue volunteering, serving as mentors to the kids and helping open their prepackaged foods, it will never be the same, even if some of us agree to help.
I remember people such as Carroll Flanagan, Jim Marchant, Harold Powers, Jim Husen, "Singing" Frank Sinkule, Ray and Sheila Flynn and Bob and Marcella Fanning. They are among St. John Vianney volunteers who served these kids in their final years of life.
I’ve gotten to know many of my fellow volunteers well. Some have become friends. I doubt I’d have even met some of them had it not been for this program. In a way, the program bonded people across our community.
I started volunteering at Roosevelt with another church after a co-worker, Pat Burkhard, asked me to help out. Pat, likewise, has passed on. I think my son was in third grade at Roosevelt at the time when I started volunteering. When St. John Vianney joined the rotation of churches serving there, I teamed up with this group. My son turns 30 this June. That means I’ve served about 20 years.
I remember buying mittens for the little girl who came to breakfast one winter morning without any, her hands red and raw. I’ll never forget the girl who, on the eve of a field trip to a farm, startled me by asking, “Do cows have soft udders?” I’ll recall fun chats with some of these kids when I saw them around town or in my neighborhood. I’ll recall those who gave me hugs of appreciation because I, in turn, appreciated their spontaneous gestures.
Thanks, students, and fellow volunteers, for the memories.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Jan 20, 2013 at 8:01 p.m.
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I fail to see how the food being funded by another entity is preventing you, or anyone else, from continuing your volunteer time at the school.
Jan 19, 2013 at 3:26 p.m.
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Thank you Greg, for caring for the kids in our community and taking action for those you care about.
Jan 19, 2013 at 6:25 a.m.
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What a nice example of volunteerism to the children you served. Thanks for setting that example for our future citizens. Too bad the govt had to butt in. They always find a way to screw up a good thing.
Jan 18, 2013 at 8:42 p.m.
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Thank you to all who volunteered. Thank you!
Jan 18, 2013 at 1:46 p.m.
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Idiots ! How many of the teachers belong to the same church ? Does that not make them a group ? Are they forcing religious beliefs upon the kids ? Good grief ! Thanks Greg for all your help with our young ones.God Bless you, oops,probably shouldn't have said that.
Jan 18, 2013 at 11:16 a.m.
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ImJustSayin, if there was evidence that the church groups were evangelizing the students I would agree with you, that seems to not be the case. We can debate the separation of church and state for eternity, the bottom line is this program did a lot of good and was based out of goodness of the volunteers, I don't care if a group of strippers get together and do what's right for kids in need, that should never be abandoned for a government program. I get the idea from your posts you are very much against any association of religion into public school, I can share that attitude as well, but let me ask you this, what determines a religion in modern society? Is it based on an old recognized religion or is it based upon the actions and beliefs of its members? Could you not make the argument that many nature lovers see their environmental passion as a religion? There is a spiritual aspect to it. The fear many have when it comes to religion is the indoctrination aspect of it and the impact on kids. I completely agree that exists, but does it not also exist with the teachers unions in our schools? Do they not also use some of the same indoctrination tactics as an organized religion? Do these practice and principles go against what many parents want to be forced upon their children? I think we need to look at what is best for the kids and it looks like we are avoiding that for the fear of a religion involved in doing good. If that is going to be the case let's be consistent on all influences on our kids.
Jan 18, 2013 at 10:01 a.m.
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ImJustSayin: So what is wrong with a church group volunteering at school as long as they aren't forcing their religious views on the students? There are church groups in Janesville that support schools in many ways, such as providing money for milk, school supplies, cold weather clothing, etc. Much different than the situation in the Florida school district referenced in your link. By the way, have you ever heard of an Atheist group doing any kind of humanitarian project or service?
Jan 17, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.
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As much as everybody's volunteer efforts are appreciated, and I mean that sincerely, church groups have no business being in public schools. There are too many battles being fought against church groups in schools right now, and the less Janesville allows this to happen the better IMO.
Below is a link of one such battle being fought in Florida right now:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyath...
Jan 17, 2013 at 4 p.m.
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Greg, Volunteers do for free what they would never consider doing for money. Sounds like you did a good job and I am sure there are many who enjoyed what you did. You sound like a really nice person.
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