HONORING PARENTS: CALIFORNIA NATIVE AWARDED PARENT OF THE YEAR
Introduction
In 1994 the fourth Sunday of every July was established as Parents’ Day, a day for, “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.” This was a result of leaders who recognized the need to promote “responsible parenting in our society and to uplift ideal parental role models.”
Each year WFWP USA participates in honoring National Parents’ Day and each chapter recommends exemplary Parents or Families to be given the award.
A Selection Committee consisting of heads of various organizations choose one Awardee for each State from all the local nominees. Out of those State awardees, three National Parents Day Awardees are then chosen and honored in Washington DC in a public banquet held at the Washington Times. They receive a plaque as well as recognition from their State Representatives.
This year’s 2nd place couple was nominated by our Northern California chapter. Their story is below.
A wonderful Parents’ Day Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday, July 21, at the Bay Area Family Church. 15 outstanding couples and single parents from around the Greater Bay Area, as well as from Elk Grove near Sacramento, received an Excellence in Parenting Award, including Terry Watters of Gilroy who was selected as Parent of the Year. More than 70 people were in attendance, including the awardees, awardee nominators, and children and family members of the awardees.
The awards ceremony started at 9:00 am and was held in the sanctuary. Mr. Bento Leal, emcee of the event, welcomed everyone to the festivities. He then invited to the stage the International Choir of the Bay Area Family Church directed by Mrs. Yukiko Zinke. They sang two beautiful songs: “Where Peace Begins” and “You Raise Me Up”. A cute, heart-warming, 3-minute video was then shown where children in the Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta, GA, chose Christmas presents for their parents rather than receiving presents for themselves. This set a perfect tone of parent appreciation for our event.
Next, Mrs. Patricia Fleischman, Chairwoman of the local chapter of Women’s Federation for World Peace, gave congratulatory remarks to the awardees, saying that loving, committed parents and healthy families are the foundation for a peaceful society and world.
Mr. Leal then gave a brief explanation of the history and meaning of Parents’ Day. One by one he read the name of each awardee couple and single parent, and a paragraph on why they were nominated. The final awardee was Mr. Terry Watters who received a beautiful cherry wood plaque with an engraved brass plate with his name as Parent of the Year for Northern California along with a $100 Visa gift card.
Mr. Watters has worked as a social worker for many years. He has been a Foster Care Specialist, Clinical Director, Adoption Supervisor, and Family Specialist. Truly he has dedicated his life to helping others, especially children and families. Mr. Watters gave heartfelt words of appreciation saying he truly felt humbled and even stunned by this recognition. He also gave great appreciation to Rev. & Mrs. Sun Myung Moon for promoting True Family Values and for uplifting the role of parents in families and society.
The finale was a group photo, closing prayer by Pastor Kevin Thompson of the Bay Area Family Church, and rousing cheers of Happy Parents’ Day!
It was truly an inspiring event for everyone who attended. All the awardees and their family members were so grateful. It shows the power of uplifting parents in our communities.
Happy Parents’ Day!