Traditions: Ohio Heritage Fellows; 302; Tonya Duran interview, part 2 of 3

Q:

TONYA: She was taught the right way by her parents to give back, volunteer. A lot of people don’t volunteer, a lot of people don’t realize she does not get paid for what she does. A lot of people don’t realize that Elaina gives back more than a normal person does and I think that’s why, um, people don’t... when the parents realize that she don’t get paid, they respect her more. And, then people don’t realize she’s giving up precious time from her family, her friends and actually you know, she’s giving the kids, um, a sense of, of wealth because do you know that if she’s... like when we have out Roman Day when we have the community clean-up, she has all the kids come and do the community clean-up. It’s a requirement. And, that’s one thing about Elaina is volunteerism is that, um, cause she’s like, cause 13 years ago when I started Roman Day she’s like, Tonya what’s Roman Day? I said, service to others is the rent we pay for living. We’re all volunteers. We’re giving back and so and she’s like, oh yeah, I’m gonna start making the dancers do that volunteer day and I said, well that’s, you know, and that’s one thing... Elaina about Elaina that’s what comes out of her is like when she volunteers she makes everybody wants to volunteer, you know what I mean? So, like on Tuesdays she sees me and Elaina feeding the kids so all the parents like, oh no you guys always busy, we volunteer and go and feed the kids. I was like, see...(AUDIO END)