“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945)
It is both uplifting and gratifying to see the support our community provides for it’s schools and, hence, for our children.
It’s gratifying because it continuously supports the decision many of us made to buy a home and raise children in this area.
It’s uplifting thanks in part to those who contribute their support; even though not all of them have children of their own. That is the society in which we live. It’s a solid display of our community’s moral fortitude.
My wife Grace and I regularly break bread (and occasionally a few crushed grapes) with a local college professor who possesses stunning academic credentials. And yet, this person teaches at a junior college. One has to wonder why such a brilliant soul would not flee the academic “minor-leagues” for the prestige and paycheck of a grander institution?
The answer is because such people want to make a difference in the system; to provide a quality education to students who may not have the funds for a top-name university.
Now I get it: The morality of a community is provided one person at a time. It is a selfless dedication to society that I have personally witnessed, many times over, in our small town.
Everyone can join in circling the wagons this weekend at McGaugh Elementary School’s annual Carnival and Silent Auction.
It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the school at 698 Bolsa Ave., Seal Beach. And you don’t even have to have a student in the school to come and enjoy the family fun atmosphere.
New and returning to the carnival this year: Goldfish, gluten-free pizza, face painting, a larger pumpkin patch where you can buy a farm-fresh pumpkin at a bargain.
We had the “Patch” last year, but we decided to expand it this year due to its success last year.
I felt we had to bring back the goldfish this year. I was disappointed the PTA got rid of it about four years ago. Heck, the only thing most of us remember from our childhood carnival’s were those stupid, wonderful, live-for-a-nanosecond goldfish. Since the McGaugh carnival five years ago, we’ve always had a fish in our house.
The carnival’s silent auction will actually start at 2 p.m. on Friday. Although there are bargains to be had, the most popular items will typically go for retail. At least one can write-off the price above what it goes for in the store since it’s going to a good cause—the education of the children in our community.
Everyone, be they young or old, can come enjoy the carnival and its games, prizes and silent auction items. (Heh! I got an electric toothbrush and massage for my wife Grace. I got it below retail, which saved me money and helped the PTA … and made Grace smile).
Oh, yes, and the Miss Seal Beach princesses will be doing Crazy Hair. The Choir is singing at 1 p.m. and then there’s the raffle of cakes and goodies.
Like I said, it’s a feel-good community event—and sometimes, nothing works better than what some might call “hokey” but what others can recall as a slice of heaven. This fundraising event is the most-important event of our PTA year.
It provides most of the means we utilize in making our school better and keeping its competitive edge.
The funds raised provide student assemblies, classroom technology, parent education and outreach, as well as augmenting school supplies and equipment.
Let’s face it, California has fallen down on the job and shows few signs of recovering anytime soon. It is up to us, the community, to ensure a better lifestyle for us all.
We may not be able to solve the problems of government nor of our State as a whole, but we can certainly keep our little corner of it as pleasant as possible. Let’s all pitch in and we will continue to have a darned fine place to live!
Thus we must realize that support is a shared responsibility. It’s a two-way street.
In this economy we have local businesses and organizations donating, cutting prices, and providing volunteers to support our cause. These include Z-Pizza, Baytown Reality, the Lion’s Club, Seal Beach Princesses—these are among the myriad of supporters for our one event. You can even do your part just by patronizing our local businesses. Let them know you appreciate their support for our children.
We can all make this an even better place to work and live. When we realize we are all in this together and spend our energy in positive ways, nothing but good can come from this. Thank you
Rick Gordon of Seal Beach is the J.H. McGaugh Elementary School PTA President 2008-2010. He is the first man to hold the post.
