Community Corner
Who's Who: Thriving on the Joy of Giving
Every week we'll feature a brief chat with someone who lives, works or plays in Albany. Read on to learn about a fundraiser coming in July for a school in Ethiopia with ties to Albany.
Name: Tricia Clark
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired beautician
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Where did you work? I worked at The Powder Box, when it was still on Solano, for 14 or 15 years.
Tell me about the fundraising event on July 10. It’s called “Cutting Hair for Ethiopian Children.” It will cost $15 a cut. All the proceeds will go to Billo Elementary School [in Ethiopia].
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How did it come about? I was all excited about this foundation that (Albany resident) Birtukan [Beyenssa] had asked me to help her with. I had gone down to talk with someone at [salon], Rosa Ramirez, and I was sharing this story and my excitement with her. She said, “Well, I’ll host an event if you’d like. I’ve hosted one for AIDS – I’ll host one for you!”
This is really sweet of her to do this. If she can cut hair and donate the money, so can I. Mr. C. said it would be all right to use his shop; we have to bring our own supplies, of course. Another woman, Margaret, will also work from 12:30 to 4. Whatever we make at Mr. C.’s, I will match up to $400.
Can people make appointments? It’s first-come, first-served.
How did you first get involved with this issue? Birtukan and I have known each other for almost 20 years. My daughter was in kindergarten when we moved here. I retired a year ago in May. I was praying and praying, “What am I going to do?” Birtukan was talking to me about raising money for the school, and I was getting so energized just talking with her. She asked, “Would you like to join me?”
I bought 100 flyers. Birtukan helped design the flyer. As we were coming back [from upper Solano], I stopped along the way in one store after another and asked, “Can we put one up here?” Birtukan said, “You know everybody!” Up there, I’m “Tricia the beautician”; down here in Albany, near the schools, I’m “Ashley’s mother.”
Have you been to Billo to see the school yet? I’m hoping next year to go. It depends; I’m living on Social Security. I could stay with her mom. It’s possible that when she goes, I’ll go with her.
How else are you spending your time in retirement? There’s an 85-year-old lady here that I help. She doesn’t have family here; I take her shopping for personal needs, groceries; I take her to the beauty shop. There’s another neighbor, too. Periodically, I’ll take them down for a meal at the .
I was going to do one of those “.” Reading at the . I love doing things for and sharing things with other people – my parents would tell me that I should be a nurse. I wish more people would get that – the joy of giving.
Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.
