A Lunch Pals Word of Thanks from the Founder
As I look forward to Thanksgiving I am thankful to be able to spend time with my children and grandchildren. I am also thankful for the opportunity to be a Lunch Pal and make a difference in the lives of the two boys with whom I have lunch at Azalea Middle School.
People often ask me, "How do I know I'm making difference?"
I am confident that I am making a difference in the lives of my two students. Children crave time with an invested, caring adult. It makes them feel safe, supported, even loved.
Recently, I spent time with my grandson Jacob four days in a row. A baseball game, basketball, dinners together, and a lunch visit at his school. At the end of the fourth day, over dinner, Jacob asked me, “Grandpa, will you come to school and have lunch this week?”
This is the value you bring to a child's life when you spend time with them. Your time together lets them know someone cares about them and believes in them. That kind of attention is invaluable, especially for kids who may not get it from a caring adult as much as my grandson does, or maybe not all.
I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference. And I am grateful for all of you Lunch Pal volunteers, who dedicate time every week to making a difference in a child's life.
-Ron Diner, Lunch Pals Founder
ron.diner@raymondjames.com
