Several years ago, a former student of Prof. Emeritus RJ Lenarcic (HCCC) contacted him regarding something he’d like to do. Mike Carroll, from Schenectady, wondered if he could purchase new bicycles and helmets for children in the area who had none and if Mr. R.J. would be interested in helping him out. He was, and this was the result.
For the past decade, Mike, Lenarcic, his wife, Kay, and Herkimer County Hunger Coalition members Kelly Brown and Laura Hailston have met at Herkimer’s Walmart, deserving families chosen by Mary Kline of the BOCES Migrant Education Program. On the third Saturday in June, they enjoyed watching ten beautiful children, faces awash with smiles, choose new bikes and helmets; the cost shared by Carroll and the Coalition.
When Carroll was asked why he came up with the project, his response was simple-“I’ve always felt the need to give back, and why not do something to put smiles on the faces of deserving children.” According to Lenarcic, Carroll was a great student and a better person. “Ten percent of my history course required students to do something to improve the quality of life of area communities. In implementing this requirement, I always hoped that the kids would have a “fire lit,” i.e., being committed to doing similarly throughout their lives. Mike Carroll is the absolute epitome of what I had in mind.”
Coalition President Brown indicated that his members have always been 100% behind this project, and he couldn’t thank Mike enough for his sense of altruism. Brown also remarked-“Can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of these and the other BOCES children who will benefit from our Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program. No child should be without a bike in the summer and toys and a warm winter coat on December 25th.”