Donuts With Dad Returns to a Massive Interest

POUGHKEEPSIE – At the beginning of the morning, there were 56 Entenmann’s donuts from Price Chopper on the table inside Krieger Elementary School’s cafeteria: 16 “Rich Frosted,” 16 “Crumb” and 24 powdered and plain “Soft’ees.”

Before long, Community Schools liaison Lesley Rodriguez headed to Dunkin’ Donuts to retrieve three boxes of munchkins. Then, Principal Carolyn Fields made a run to the 7-Eleven across the street.

By the end of the first Donuts with Dad event of the year, Community Schools liaison and program organizer Gilbert Colon had lost track of how many donuts came from which store and who ate how many munchkins.

“I think someone went to the gas station and bought cookies,” he said. “At that point, anything goes.”

It’s a nice problem to have, of course, when the idea is to draw in as many parents and children as possible to educate them on the services available at their school.

The second year of the Donuts with Dad series began Oct. 3 with a record turnout of more than 80 – about four times as many as any event last year. “It was beautiful,” said Colon, who also organizes the monthly Father and Male Role Model Support Group, before recalling some of the group photos taken at the end of the event. “You could see how happy the kids were. They’re on their dads’ shoulders, they’re screaming, a dad is trying to throw one kid up in the air; it was very impactful.”

Colon said at each event they introduce the Community Schools liaison for the school and the principal so parents have a better idea of who they can speak to if they have questions and/or need support in navigating the school district. There’s also a storytelling session from Manuel Moore of partner organization Fatherhood Talk Live, board games available and, of course, donuts and juice.

The Community Schools program visits each school once. The second installment is scheduled for Warring Elementary at 9 a.m. Nov. 14. Given the surprise turnout in October – the line extended from the food table at one end of the cafeteria out the door on the other side – Community Schools is asking anyone interested to RSVP online by Nov. 8. More schools will be scheduled as the year goes on.

Colon said some parents told him they had wanted to attend last year but couldn’t make the date. This year they made it a priority, which boosted the turnout. Also, while it is marketed as an “all-male support group,” Colon said moms who attended were, of course, also welcomed.

As each Donuts with Dad unfolds, Colon said staff go around the room offering to take photos for families to remember the morning. Then, they take a group photo.

“It’s a beautiful introduction to the holiday season,” Colon said, “spending time with your dad.”