Peter Nikonowicz celebrated his 8th birthday by joining the CTK Volunteer Corp for the Houston Food Bank. OSHA requires adult partners for workers between 8 and 16 years of age. Fortunately, Peter’s parents, Terri Koehler and Ed Nikonowicz, are seasoned volunteers, as is his older sister, Rebecca Nikonowicz.
At our last trip to the HFB, Peter, his mother Terri, Bridget Jensen, and Lisa Jensen worked in the “repacking area,” putting assorted donated candies into 15-pound boxes to be sent to area kitchens and pantries. Peter worked systematically, carefully arranging candies into each box. Soon everyone knew Peter was lovingly packing his favorite treat (rice krispy-marshmallow bars) into the boxes to give to someone else. For three hours he looked and touched but did not eat one gooey bite. At the end of the morning, Lisa asked if Peter could have a couple of the broken rice crispy bars as a reward for working so hard under all this temptation. His mother said, “No; this is about helping others; it is not about Peter.” Peter left without a treat, but he had had an experience in values that will last his lifetime. (His mother gave him a special lunch at home!)
Children (eight and older) and their partners are welcome to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not depart from it.
Our next trip for CTK volunteers at the HFB is September 13, 2008, from 8 a.m. to noon. We carpool from the church parking lot across from Hungry’s on Rice. Wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Please consider joining us, with or without children.