I’d like to comment on an event that I participated in on Thursday, Oct. 31, because of the emotion and pride that was generated by members of a much younger generation than I.

I was asked to help receive food for the Federal Way Multi-Service-Center’s (MSC) food bank, which was to be collected by students in the area of the 253 area code, at the Albertson’s parking lot at 312th Street and Highway 99.

When I first arrived, I found that there were roughly 40 to 50 students participating in a motivational rally for the students going out to collect food.

I was later informed that there must have been around 200 young people there at the beginning of this rally. It was well done!

I left to perform a short errand for the MSC, and when I returned, there were quite a few young people (and in some cases they were being chauffeured by other family members), who were starting to bring back collected food in all sorts of containers (plastic and cloth shopping bags, wrapped in a T-shirt, backpacks, one suitcase, simply bundled in their arms, and many other ways). The transfer of food quickly grew and the bins in the truck began to fill. The young people didn’t just bring the food to the loading dock of the truck, but would bring it into the truck and assist in getting it stored in the bins.

At a few points in time, the three of us really had a difficult time just keeping up with their donations.

Other things were also happening in that corner of the parking lot that made us older folks really proud about this generation of young people who were participating in this food drive.

The student organizers were capturing photos and audio recordings of what was happening and how good it was to be doing this food drive. People who maybe didn’t know everyone there, or vice versa, were asking if they needed help. I heard some “yes pleases,” “no thank you” and “we’d appreciate your help,” and even the younger generation’s spiel was used to convey “cooperation.” I didn’t ever hear a curse word, or anything negative about what was happening. It was all positive.

I think that I can speak for the three of us who are parents, and even have some grandchildren, that these are the kind of young people that we love to see, and who in our eyes are going to be instrumental in not only their own development in life, but will be assisting others to be a part of “the contributing party of life.”

Working together and helping others was totally demonstrated in the Albertson’s parking lot that night, and it was demonstrated in actions, words and even crazy costumes for a Halloween night. If anyone knows some of these kids, please pass on our thanks for the work that they did to help others who are not as fortunate as others are. Keep it up, and pretty soon those less fortunate will be helping others too.

Jack Kalina, Auburn