“This is the nicest thing I have ever done in my life,” said Norman Lynskey, who speaks of his 3,000 volunteer hours over three years at MTS Elementary.
His heart melts when a child comes up to ask, “Mr. Norman, can you hold my hand?” He replies, “Well, of course … I would be delighted.” And they proceed to walk down the hallway.
Lynskey was encouraged to volunteer at the school by his neighbor, the school’s math teacher, after boredom set in a few days into retirement. He visited the school and then returned, day after day.
Lynskey helps the kindergarten and first grade students with reading, vocabulary development and math. Just by being there, he said, he feels that he is teaching students to trust, to learn how to make friends and to be good, kind and thoughtful. He also lets them know when they are courteous and thoughtful.
Safety, respect, responsibility and trust are the stated values of the school. He agrees, and finds that appropriate hugs are welcome for anyone who wants one.
Life was not always so simple for Lynskey. Raised in Thief River Falls, Minn., he later completed his education in Russian area studies. After joining the army, he worked for the National Security Agency in West Berlin during the Cold War. Fluent in Russian, he later served in various capacities at major hospitals including, Mount Sinai, University of Minnesota Medical Center, and he then worked for Pillsbury and Target.
Lynskey feels strongly that many others could add happiness and fulfillment to their retirement if they would volunteer at the school. Not wanting to sound trite, Lynskey says simply, “I love these kids.” Volunteering has impacted him greatly. “I love this life, the good things in it and how much these children have given to me as they have allowed me to be a part of their lives.”
