I suppose it’s a sign of the times that when we need them most, some of our long standing service clubs and organizations like the Mount Shasta Lion’s Club are having to close their doors due to a lack of interest on the part of the community.
Today, Al Blackmore, a longtime Mount Shasta Lions Club member, dropped off a generous but final donation to our school on behalf of Don and Marie Smith who were Castella residents, but were Mount Shasta Lions for many years.
As a school leader and educator part of my responsibility to the public I serve is to help young people to understand what it means to be productive, responsible, and active members of their community.
The examples I have always been able to count on are the local service clubs that reach out to schools and students and offer their support in a number of ways.
In our case, with support from the Mount Shasta Lions Club, our students saw first-hand that the adults in the community valued education, cared about students, and were willing to work hard to earn the funds that would in turn benefit those students. It was a real-life lesson that is irreplaceable.
I lament the fact that I will no longer have that wonderful organization as an ally, and that those adult role-models will not be a part of our students’ learning as we try to teach them about civic responsibility, selfless service, and the idea of giving back.
Service in local civic-minded organizations and the events and fundraisers they host is not always glamorous or exciting, but it is valuable and important work as it gives everyone else in the community an opportunity support a good cause, and to have an easy way to donate and to give back.
When these organizations and clubs close their doors, we all lose an opportunity to help out and to participate in some small way to the health and vibrancy of our community.
As a proud member of the Castella Community Education Organization, I urge you to join or support your local service clubs or organizations for the sake of your community and the quality of life we should not take for granted.
As for Al Blackmore and those stalwart folks who kept the Mount Shasta Lions Club active these last years, thank you. Your efforts did not go unnoticed, and your impact on the lives of Castle Rock students was real and
meaningful.
• Mark D. Telles is superintendent/principal of Castle Rock Union Elementary School District in Castella
