by Rebecca Weeks DeMeritt
The Funhouse Commons
David Turnoy is a community volunteer. He works with Art for Orcas Kids, tutors at Orcas Elementary, and helps kids during the Funhouse homework club. David decided to become a mentor through the Funhouse mentoring program because of all the “off the wall” behavior he witnessed at the school. He could see that kids could use a little more one-on-one attention in their lives so he stepped up to play a role in a child’s life.
A year ago last April, he was matched with Aidan Murray. In their interview together for this profile, David quickly clarified that Aidan is not “off the wall.” Aidan is a courteous and easy-going sixth grader. Aidan requested a mentor because he wanted to “hang out after school and play sports with someone.” It was that simple. Aidan’s life has taken him to several places. He was born in California, lived on Orcas, moved to Kansas, then moved back to Orcas again. When he returned to Orcas with his mom, he didn’t like the idea at first. He also wasn’t sure about the mentoring program because of being matched with an “unknown stranger.”
He was happy to get matched with David, or “Mr. T” as the kids call him, because he knew him from Orcas Elementary. Aidan now attends the Orcas Christian school and he still gets together weekly with David. They play baseball, basketball, and tennis. Aidan says that David is good at baseball and tennis, but that he, himself, is better at basketball.
When I asked Aidan what else he likes to do with David, he said he likes learning about history. David laughed because he was a history major in college and has taught history, among other subjects, for years. It seems that his interest in history has rubbed off on Aidan. They also enjoy other activities and recently went to a circus performance at Oddfellows – something Aidan would not have done without the invite from David. Sometimes they do homework together and sometimes Aidan invites friends to join them to play sports.
When I asked what they’ve gained from their mentor match, Aidan said he is better friends with Mr. T and better at sports. David said he enjoys being with Aidan – that he’s a really nice kid. He “enjoys his insights and sense of humor.” Aidan says that mentor matches are “Fun, as long as you have a good match.” David says that “spending time with kids makes him feel younger and keeps him in touch with what’s going on.”
For more information on the program, call 376-7177, email Rebecca@thefunhouse.org. Applications are online at www.funhousecommons.org.
