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04/08/2010

A Legacy of Love Honored

On Thursday, April 1st, Pam Krenzke was awarded the Jefferson Award for community service and volunteerism. This represents the first time the award was presented posthumously on Ohio. She was one of five top winners honored during a luncheon at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts in New Albany. Pam was a mother, a friend, a trainer, a volunteer and an educator. She devoted much of her time to developing Bobby's Books. It was the loss of Pam's two sons at the ages of 9 and 11, Bobby and Eric, due to a genetic disorder that fueled her passion to improve one's journey through life. She was determined to make certain that parents, educators, and caregivers of children would have a resource to help children deal with their grief, loss and change issues, a tool not available to her when Bobby and Eric were dying. 

Bobby's Books was created in her son's memory and to fulfill their wish of making a difference in the world. Pam identified over 250 children's books and divided them into categories of loss and not just loss due to death, but the everyday losses of self-esteem, divorce, and change to name a few. Pam developed a presentation called "Don't Flush the Goldfish" designed to teach adults, both professional and personal, how to use small losses as "teachable moments" to enhance children's coping abilities. This program has been incorporated into early childhood classrooms, elementary, middle and high schools, hospice grief support programs, churches and other community agencies across Ohio and the nation. Conversations that we are afraid to have with our children about life because we do not know what to say or are afraid we may say the wrong thing, are made possible by choosing the right book as your conversation starter.

Sadly, Pam Krenzke passed away in early 2006 from complications of Dystonia. Pam was the Education Coordinator for the Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization from June 2002 through October 2005. Out of so much tragedy has come so much triumph. Pam turned her personal pain into purpose. She left the Bobby's Books program to the Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization as a way for people to see the true meaning of hospice being about life care, not just end of life care. Teaching this valuable lesson must begin with our next generation of caregivers....our children. We intend to honor her legacy and grow this special program.

To highlight Pam and the additional award winners, WBNS-TV has scheduled a 30 minute special to air on April 24th at 7pm to share their stories. Program your DVR's and make sure not to miss hearing the story of Pam Krenzke and her Legacy of Love she left us all.

Her gift continues to inspire us all every day! Remember what Pam said..."If you've made a difference to one person, YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!" Thank you Pam for making a difference in the world! Your light continues to shine brighter each day!