Dads get special day in August, too

Though June has passed, the Auburn community isn't finished celebrating Father's Day.On Friday, residents gathered at The Arts Building to recognize local fathers and raise funds for Golden Sierra Life Skills, an Auburn nonprofit corporation devoted to teaching parents and children to maintain a healthy family lifestyle. Many of the group's programs focus on male involvement in childrearing, making the 100th anniversary of the recognition of Father's Day the perfect opportunity for a fundraiser. Tom Grayson, founder and executive director of Golden Sierra Life Skills, explained that the event was held in August because June and July were busy months for Auburn. They decided to postpone their Father's Day to ensure that the fundraiser would get the community's full attention.Among other things, those who attended the celebration were treated to a barbecue dinner. They were also invited to participate in a silent auction and raffle. Attendees bid on toys and pricier items like a barbecue and coffeemaker. Proceeds from the auction will go toward funding Golden Sierra programs, like Men, Infants, and Children and Man-to-Man. Because some fathers have limited finances, Grayson said he and his staff will use some of the funds raised to provide these men financial support that will allow them to complete the programs.Fathers and children used pieces of tile to create a community mural "in honor of fathers and male mentorship," said Grayson. After placing tile to help form the fathers and children depicted in the mosaic, participants had their hands painted to create handprints along the edge of the frame. Grayson says they hope to have the mural hang in the Auburn City Hall."Imagine, four or five years from now it'll still be hanging there," he said. "Those kids can look at it and say 'I did that with my dad.'"Auburn resident Lee O'Neal and his daughters each contributed a piece of tile to the mural."This event is very positive," O'Neal said. "It brings in the community and gives people a better understanding of parenting, and of helping others."Frank Nomura showed up with his granddaughter to share in the fun. "I think it's great," Nomura said. "They should have this every year."Though the funds raised are very important to the nonprofit, Grayson said that the ultimate goal of the event was to recognize these dads and others like them."We want to raise awareness of some great men who are great fathers," he said.Among those men were many who had completed Golden Sierra programs. Classes offered include parenting classes specifically for fathers, and for parents going through divorce. Grayson and his group were also recently able to partner with Village Care International and founder David Glenwinkel to take their classes to Kenya.To learn more, visit the Golden Sierra Life Skills offices at 3240 Professional Dr. in Auburn, or online at Goldenlifeskills.org