2007 Award

Keith Patrick has traveled the world, the third world: Haiti, India and Africa. He has an appreciation of how little some people have in their lives, … not just in terms of wealth, but little attention, little recognition, little shining. As a volunteer with the 3 rd grade at Elmwood school, Keith reads to kids 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. He establishes a connection with these kids by sending them (all 38 of them) postcards in the mail from some different country. “ Most of these kids would never receive mail. Their reaction is great”, Patrick says. A teacher at heart, Keith was a staff trainer at Syracuse Developmental Center until his retirement. He, however, never retired from his work with the developmentally disabled and the marginalized in the area and community in which he lives. Keith is a unique individual who I found to have a calm voice and a large heart. He reminded me of an article I read about Dorothy Day’s everyday life… she performed the simple, small things in life with great love and charity. Keith is much like Dorothy in this way. He befriended a Native American family, helping them in many ways including taking their two boys on trips to NYC and Washington, just so that they could have someone other than their parents share time and experiences with them. Keith and their mother frequently talk about raising kids. He taught the boys to swim when they were too little to stand in the pool and now that the boys tower over him, he has taught them to drive. Keith says he has learned a lot about the rich Onondaga Nation culture and has seen the strength of native families. An as the boys move into adulthood, Keith is still there. He is generous with his car… he told me the story of how he lent his car to a young man to go to protest at the School of the Americas and when the young man called Keith, he indicated he made a detour to Montreal to visit a friend! He also taught many in the L’Arche community how to drive. One young Sudanese hit a lamppost 20 minutes after taking the wheel with Keith in the passenger seat. Serving on the L’Arche board, now as co president, he continues to serve and assist members to day i.e. driving them to appointments. Keith drives a disabled woman from a senior citizen high-rise to the grocery store to buy shrimp, rutabagas, and knee-highs. She always explains him at the checkout “he’s my driver”. Keith says things that would take people without transportation half a day to accomplish; they can do together in about one hour. He enjoys the personality and warmth of all he services: “ I have a good time…I am having fun”! He tells me his favorite line from the movie “Oh god” is when George Burns looks at the camera and says:” I like people. They’re the best things we got”. His passion is working with kids, not just the kids at Elmwood, but also all kids. He recollects children in Haiti or India who ask him if they can “Polish his sandals for a penny”. These kids have nothing. He brings binoculars on these trips as he claims the kids really like them. Keith practices patient listening to the kids of Elmwood or the world. He shows them some individual attention and value. He volunteers teaching religious education at St Lucy’s by being an example to these kids and listening. His beloved St Lucy’s community is “what life is all about…. Wonderful empowerment”. God works in wondrous ways. Keith told me the story of how he was helping out with the Good Friday service in which the cross is held and walked around the church. Looking for a helping hand, he noticed “Simon” from St Lucy’s out of the corner of this eye and asked him to carry the cross. Simon was shining that day and even called his sister that night to tell her of this honor that was bestowed on him. There seems to be many “Simon” moments in the life of Keith Patrick …. Small acts of kindness and passion, which add up to a man who continues to live a life of service. It is fitting and proper, that we acknowledge Keith with this years Dorothy Day Award on Thurs May 3 at our annual dinner at St Andrews Church 124 Alden St. Syracuse.