Around Town: Still smiling about ‘the best day ever’

When I think about the last week, a huge smile comes across my face.

Let me start from the top.

A few months ago, my friend Tammy Ginocchetti told me about an elementary-school event she was planning. I was immediately engaged. Right from the beginning, it seemed like a great idea.

She was in the initial stages of planning a Back 2 School Bash at Dr. David W. Kistler Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre with the goal of making kids feel good. With the start of school looming, this would be something fun and special kids could participate in.

She enlisted the help of her co-workers at Luzerne County Children & Youth (including my friends Rose and Mackenzie) and the planning begun.

The result was an amazing day of humanity, care and glee.

Kids got haircuts, school supplies and had a little party (think pizza, ice cream, music and balloons).

It was a six-hour day with teachers, cosmetology professionals, local business owners and others donating their time so kids could feel special.

I saw how much Luzerne County Children & Youth workers care about kids, the way the community embraced the idea and how supportive the school officials were.

My job was to stand outside and direct families where to go (so if you saw me standing for six hours on Old River Road last Monday, the minor sunburn was for a good cause).

I enjoyed meeting the parents and children, directing them to the gym and then seeing their faces on the way out.

We heard one kid say “this is the best day ever.” How awesome is that?

Most of these kids really appreciated the day. They got their haircut, got nails done, got some new folders, ate some Gerry’s Pizza, feasted on food from Patte’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, enjoyed ice cream from Junior’s Ice Cream Truck and had a little fun.

I’m certain I’m missing others who donated and contributed, but that’s because it was such a collaborative, combined effort from Children & Youth, Kistler employees and the community.

Parents and caregivers felt the support. Stuff they would normally schedule or buy for the kids was handled with this event.

The haircuts were especially relevant because soon kids will take back-to-school photos. As we know, some families struggle finding money for even such a basic amenity, so this event helped.

Families also got to take home hygiene items from the nurse’s program (a United Way of Wyoming Valley initiative).

This was an inspirational idea – one focused on children and their often under-appreciated parents and caregivers.

The event brought a smile to my face, and I’m certain it’s impact will be felt all year long in the families served.