The Friday Flyer, January 23, 2009 - Article: New President inspires 'Day of Service'

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At left, Maddie Rainey, Luke Kish and Jackson Rainey picked up trash at Sierra Park for a "Day of Service" on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Above left is Joy Kish with her son Luke. It was Luke's decision to pick up after the litter bugs at Sierra Park. Above right, Maddie Rainey and her mom look for trash.

New President inspires 'Day of Service'

     Joy Kish was inspired to follow the suggestion of President Obama’s campaign, which recently stirred Joy, her son, Luke, 4, her friend Trisha Rainey, and Trisha’s two children, Jackson, 4, and Maddie, 2, into action.
     “My inspiration came from wanting to teach my son the lesson of giving back,” says Joy.
     “I have always been interested in helping out, but now, having a 4-year -old, I find myself thinking about it all the time. I want Luke to learn to give back and understand the importance of it; how helping others really brings out the best in one’s spirit as well as the others around you.”
     The Sunday before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Joy says she was watching a History Channel program about his life. That program, combined with an e-mail she received from the Obama campaign urging citizens to make the holiday a “Day of Service,” prompted her to act. The following morning she woke up knowing she and Luke should do something to serve the community. As she explained it to her son, he smiled at her and said, “That’s a good idea.”
     After discussing some options, Luke chose cleaning up the park. “Littering is bad. Let’s pick up the litter bugs’ trash,” he said. Amazed by his insight and energy, Joy says it and made her realize he really does listen to things she says. A phone call to her girlfriend, Trisha Rainey, garnered her excitement to help.
     “We grabbed our gloves and trash bags, used felt markers to write on the kids’ shirts and headed to Sierra Park,” Joy recalls. “It was one of my most inspiring and proud moments. These three little kids were so thrilled about helping, they didn’t try to play on the toys or complain once. We spent two hours there and picked up so much trash. They were really pleased with what they had accomplished.”
     Joy believes most people want to help but don’t know what to do or where to start. “We all can do something – small or big. We can – we just have to look.” According to Joy, the youngsters and their moms are looking forward to their next day of service.