The other day, I had a chat with Scott Thomson, a dear friend of mine on the Island for nearly 40 years. Scott’s father died recently and I called him to let him know how highly I thought of his dad and how proud I know his dad was of him. During our conversation, Scott and I discussed growing up on the Island and all the changes we have witnessed in our lives. We both agreed we live in an amazing community.

This amazing community and the generosity of our citizens has once again been demonstrated by the initiative of Debbie Bertlin, the Mercer Island Preschool Association, and a group of volunteers who spent a very hot Saturday improving the quality of life for our little ones.

Debbie and the Preschool Association identified the need to upgrade the toddler play area at Luther Burbank Park. They rolled up their sleeves, raised $14,000 and physically installed the new play equipment (a replica of our new Fire Engine E91). The area also received a new parallel bar and swing set. This is community spirit and service at its best!

I think it’s only proper that I name the over-heated installers of our new toddler play area. Shelly, Scott, Austin and Lindsey Whelan; Blair and Sophia Destro; Jen, Ron, Ian and Colin Carmichael; Debbie, Brian, Anna and Lizzie Bertlin; Karen, Dan, Lis and Kate Grove; Mark, Noah and Ben Sterrett, Carrie Williams; numerous volunteers from the Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the vendor: John Larson of Play Creation. Thanks to all for a job well done.

On reflection of this demonstration of community spirit by Debbie and the MI Preschool Association, I could not help but think back on lessons learned from my grandmother. My grandmother was widowed at the height of the Great Depression with four pre-teen children to be fed and sheltered. She and my mother shared stories with me of their need to board tenants in their home to make end’s meet, and of greeting proud people at their back door in search of an occasional meal … these were professional people.

Through it all, my grandmother always preached the value of working hard and going to bed tired. It was important to put food on the table, but if there were no paying jobs available, it was vital to stay busy. The only thing that mattered was working hard and keeping your dignity.

The current economic downturn has given us all an opportunity to look at ourselves and our community … a time to focus on the important things in life. If you have not been involved in community activities through service groups, community associations or faith-based organizations in the past, I could not think of a better time to become involved than now.

So the play area is up and running; however, there are a few items left on the list yet to be funded and installed; specifically, three benches, a picket fence to surround the toddler area and path work for a total of $8,000. Debbie and the Preschool Association have done their part; now is the time for the community to lend a hand to finish the project. If I have sufficiently twisted your arm, please join us by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Mercer Island Preschool Association: P.O. Box 464, Mercer Island. And then, keep busy with us by helping install the rest of the play area. There’s a good chance you’ll go home tired.

For more information on the new playground, call the Mercer Island Preschool Association at 236-3033.