Douglas and Fidelia Friedman honored as 2005 Pennsylvania Parents’ of the Year.
Douglas and Fidelia Friedman of Harrisburg, PA have been married for 17 years and have 3 children-Samuel, 16, Eric, 13 and Rebecca, 10 yrs old. They met in Mexico City , where both at the time were journalists. Their home is one where tolerance and love for differences in people is the norm. He is white, was born Jewish and speaks with a northern East Coast accent. She is dark-skinned, from a Catholic family, and speaks with a strong Mexican accent. Their children have grown up knowing to love and respect others no matter their race or religion. Both are now teachers; she to kindergarten, he to university students at Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg
While both are very active in community efforts, the Friedmans’ story is one also of heroic efforts to provide a loving and stable home for their children, in spite of desperate battles with life-threatening personal illness and a wide range of medical problems that their children have and are enduring. Douglas has coached soccer for youth teams for 13 years, serves a number of community organizations by providing free marketing consultation, etc. Fidelia serves as Treasurer for Mosaico, the Latino student group, and is a Board Member of Estamos Unidos, a Latino community group, and also is Editor of its well-respected newsletter. Both are very active in their synagogue
Their daughter, Becky, was born with many developmental problems. For the first 5 years of her life, she was fed through surgically inserted tubes. Every night, she must receive a growth hormone injection (which her loving brothers often administer). Douglas and Fidelia have battled with her illnesses, uncooperative school administrators, and their own health problems to insure that Becky could receive the best education possible. Their son, Sam, has Tourette’s Syndrome. By the nonstop efforts of his parents, Sam is a happy teenager, a Boy Scout, active athlete and B student. Their other son, Eric is an honor student who has won many academic awards (for example, he reached the regional Spelling Bee finals 3 years in a row.)
Three years ago, Douglas developed cancer. His treatments included over 4 months of chemotherapy, followed by a month of radiation treatment. His oncologist said that Douglas ‘ reaction to the chemotherapy was the most difficult that he had ever seen in a patient. Despite the ravages of chemo, he continued teaching throughout the treatment, missing only one day during the whole time. He and Fidelia also maintained their home as a stable environment for the children, taking turns in driving them to their sports, school events, etc.
Despite all of their challenges, the Friedmans continue to volunteer with community organizations, their children’s schools and their synagogue. Their example of unceasing service to the community in spite of great adversity continually inspires all those who know this special family.
December 4th, 2005
By Jennifer, Fitch The Record Herald
WAYNESBORO - There is a 14-year-old Waynesboro boy who thinks his parents are great and he’s willing to proclaim it.
In fact, Eric Thompson nominated Jay and Janet Thompson for “Parents of the Year” honors. And he says he did so for one reason - “Because I love them.”
The Thompsons, who are state level nominees, will attend a dinner July 23 in Harrisburg heralding their accomplishments. The couple selected to represent Pennsylvania will be eligible to win the national title.
Parents’ Day
A Congressional Resolution signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994 established Parents’ Day on the fourth Sunday of every July.
The day was established to promote responsible parenting and honor parental role models.
Parents’ Day is designed to celebrate and strengthen the traditional, two-parent family, according to the National Parents’ Day Council’s Web site. The council is a project of Pennsylvania Family Coalition Inc.
The Parents of the Year honor begins at the local level and extends through a national selection.
Eric Thompson nominated his parents after hearing a program representative speak at a home-schooling seminar he attended. Eric wrote an essay about how his parents have impacted their children, area youth and the town.
The Thompsons
The Thompsons of 14443 Midvale Road have home-schooled their three children - Tracey, 19, Eric, 14, and Brandon, 13. The three have all worked in the family’s business, Old Country Emporium, which they say sells antiques and “cool old things.”
Jay Thompson formerly was principal at a school where Janet Thompson worked.
Janet Thompson said they decided to home-school their children because they believe children want to please the person/people with whom they spend the most time, whether their peers or parents.
The Thompsons feel children learn by example. “He sees us as very active,” Janet Thompson said of Eric’s reason for nominating his parents.
Jay Thompson conducts a Bible study at Franklin County prison and, together with his wife, holds more Bible studies at VisionQuest. Once a week, they visit Rose Manor and take the children along to help them develop relationships with older people.
The family attends Jesus is Lord Ministries near Waynesboro.
The family is working to get Waynesboro Youth Center off the ground. Jay Thompson said about $40,000 is needed for construction to meet fire codes.
He and his wife are anxious to get the youth center started. “Someone has to reach out to these kids,” said Jay Thompson.
He said their own children have accountability to their parents.
“We know what’s going on in each other’s lives. We do everything together,” he said.
Tracey Thompson’s friends have remarked how surprised they are that her family is so close. She is proud of their relationship.
“It was never like a bummer,” said Tracey Thompson. And while they’ve had rough spots over the years, they’ve worked through them … together.
“We believe in the family,” said Jay Thompson.
Editor’s Note: For more information about Waynesboro Youth Center or to make a tax-deductible donation, call 762-1872.
August 1st, 2005
July 23, 2005, Harrisburg, PA
This program featured prominent leaders, a citywide interfaith choir, internationally acclaimed Broadway singer Marie Barlow, a marriage rededication ceremony, and the 2005 Pennsylvania Parents of the of the Year. It was held on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at The Sunoco Performance Theater, Harrisburg, PA.
Flyer | Special Thanks | Brochure | Nomination
July 23rd, 2005
