Two recent “porch” parades lifted the spirits of area residents stuck at home because of coronavirus restrictions.
Leading off was a caravan of Stayton Elementary School teachers, classified staff and bus drivers on March 30, organized by Erika Alderson.
“She started a group text about the idea, and my staff responded very quickly that they were very interested in organizing the parade,” said Wendy Moore, principal of Stayton Elementary School. “They decided to do it on the Monday everyone was supposed to return from spring break as they all missed their students very much and had a great desire to make a connection with them.
“I received several emails from the community around how much this meant to them and their children,” Moore added. “I have an amazing staff with huge, generous hearts for our students and families.”
A video and photos of the teacher’s parade are on the school’s Facebook page, documenting the event. Teachers and staffers are also posting videos just to keep in touch with students and parents on individual school Facebook pages.
Nicole Scott, an instructional assistant said that participating in the parade was “wonderful and emotional. It was great to see all of the kids. I just wanted to give them all hugs.”
“It was so much fun!” said Tammy Evarts, LRC teacher. “I loved seeing how many students and families came out to wave and yell ‘hello’ as we drove by. I was also impressed by how many community members stopped what they were doing to wave and show support as we drove through their neighborhoods. We have a fabulous community.”
Physical education teacher Chuck Larimer “absolutely loved the turn out, both from staff to socially distanced kids and families! I counted maybe around 40 vehicles! The weather wasn’t the greatest, so it was great seeing so many on the route!”
“The staff parade gave us the opportunity to reassure our students that we love them and miss them,” said Kristi Flemming, who teaches third grade. “We wanted to remind them that school isn’t about a building. School is about the relationships we form and the knowledge we gain. The SES staff wanted to show our community that we won’t let COVID-19 take away either of those.”
Also a third-grade teacher, Alyssa Kuenzi wasn’t sure how many families or teachers would be able to participate, but said, “We had a great turn out, and it was super encouraging to see all the kids!”
Kathy Sears thought is was “tremendously thoughtful of the teachers at NSSD to do something like the parade for the community.”
“My granddaughters were so excited to make signs and possibly get a glimpse of their teachers while holding them,” she said. “The smiles on the children’s faces were priceless!”
Amanda Orozco said, “The kiddos were so excited to see their teachers and staff! They made signs for Mrs. Humphreys and Mrs. Robbins. This was an awesome event for these kiddos in the time of uncertainty. They had a blast!”
Not only kids were treated to a porch parade. Russ Strohmeyer, antique car buff and owner of Stro’s Photography, led emergency vehicles around area neighborhoods with his truck and trailer blaring American patriotic tunes.
“Music lifts most people’s spirits, and in these difficult times I figured that patriotic music would do more to lift those spirits and unite the communities than anything else,” Strohmeyer said. “Since car shows and Cruise-In are postponed indefinitely, I thought I would put my 1941 Chevy COE truck and DJ trailer to good use.”
The first cruise was a quick decision to tour neighborhoods in Stayton and Sublimity, so without “any permission or any other participation,” Strohmeyer headed out.
“It went over so well that Stayton Fire Chief Jack Carriger asked if I would mind if they joined in and to invite Sublimity Fire, Santiam Hospital Medics, Stayton Police and Marion County Sheriff’s the next time I went out,” he said. “Of course, my answer was yes!”
Strohmeyer has received invitations to do a porch parade for surrounding communities, including Lyons, Mehama, Aumsville, Turner, Marion, Scio and Salem, “with more planned as the weather and my time permits.”
Scio’s porch parade included Oregon State Police, Scio Fire District, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and all the teachers in the Scio School District.
Strohmeyer and other parade participants, including the Stayton and Lyons rural fire districts, have videos on their Facebook pages of the recent Stayton porch parades.
Rachel Halligan posted her thanks on Facebook, saying, “It’s a scary time for all of us, and Russ Strohmeyer is reminding us all that we live in a great country and we will be OK.”
Halligan was able to see the porch parade live with her granddaughter and “shed a tear or two.”
“I am so proud to be an American and to live amongst so many incredible communities,” she said.
To donate to the costs of the parades, visit PayPal.me/RussStrohmeyer.
