The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Donuts with Dads a big hit at school
Helen Steiner Rice Elementary holds annual event
One of the first fathers in line for Donuts with Dads at Helen Steiner Rice Elementary School in Lorain, Antonio Reyes said his involvement was worth the effort.
Reyes attends the event every year with Antonio “A.J.” Reyes Jr., 8, a thirdgrader, and this year he took off a half-day of work.
“It shows him I’m here for him, and he knows I’m here for him,” Reyes said. “And it shows support for the school.”
The night before, Reyes, 39, participated in celebrations in downtown Cleveland honoring the start of the new season for defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a World Series game win for the Cleveland Indians.
“I wasn’t in the stadium, but I was downtown,” Reyes said. “It was electrifying. It was awesome. It’s a really good feeling for the city. We were at the party outside at the Q (Quicken Loans Arena) and in the casino.”
Dave Herrera, 72, ate with his grandsons, Elijah McCutcheon, 9, and Angelo Santiago, 5, for similar reasons.
“I was here last year,” Herera said. “Somebody’s got to come here to be with them, and I’m the one. Both of their parents are working. It’s my opportunity to be with them.”
Martin Noble, 40, sat across a table from three daughters; Iyana, 5, kindergarten; Mariana, 9, fourthgrade; and Kiana, 7, secondgrade.
“It means a lot to me,” said Noble, who works at JDS Trucking in Columbia Station. “It makes me feel very special. I took off work today to spend time with the kids. Before you know it, they’re grown.”
Edie Diaz, a cafeteria manager at Helen Steiner Rice Elementary, said children received in breakfast bags a Coco Puffs cereal bar, apple, cheese cubes, juice or milk.
Diaz said her kitchen crew usually feeds about 260 children a day.
The school expected more than 200 dads at the annual breakfast.
“I think it just helps bring the parents in the schools to see what we’re all about here,” Diaz said.
Maureen Millett, principal of Helen Steiner Rice Elementary, said the event benefitted her school.
“It was wonderful,” Millett said.
“It was nice to see all the parents here. Most importantly, they were connecting with their children and taking the time.
“The parents were very cooperative. They were able to get in and out so the children can get to class.”
“I took off work today to spend time with the kids. Before you know it, they’re grown.”
— Martin Noble