As many in the Glendale community, I have been deeply affected by the
events of May 5 when Raul Aguirre was stabbed to death. As executive
director of Glendale Healthy Kids, I have attended several meetings since
that day and the committee members and I attempted to get to the root
causes of the problems facing the community. So many times, the
conversations went to the parents. Where are they and what are they doing
for their children?
I had the pleasure of spending a day and early evening during Memorial
Day weekend at the YMCA of Glendale's Family Camp at Camp Fox on Catalina
Island. As I sat on the deck, I witnessed mothers and fathers on the
beach and in the water playing with their children, a mother lying on the
grass with her arms wrapped around her sleeping daughter, mothers and
fathers kicking a soccer ball or playing baseball with their children.
They ate together and went to campfire together -- being families. I felt
a sense of renewed hope and peace.
At campfire that evening, Cy Battison was recognized for his 53 years
of service and devotion to the children who have attend YMCA of Glendale
camps. It was said that he has touched the lives of more than 106,000
campers. There were very moving tributes from those who wanted to share
with Cy and the rest of us what he has meant to them through the years.
It was a wonderful tribute to a remarkable man.
Through its many programs, the YMCA of Glendale is making a difference
in the lives of the children in the community and in the lives of every
family who attends Family Camp. My thanks to Bob Driffill, Craig Cerro,
Craig Yaussi and their staff for caring about kids and families and for
working to make a difference.
CAROL REYNOLDS
Glendale
