Father’s Day with Dads of the Wilcoxson Father’s Club
This Sunday we celebrate the national holiday of Father’s Day. It’s nice to celebrate things, isn’t it? From the cake to family members joining in the festivities to barbeques, and let’s not forget the cards, the toasts, and the gifts.
Where, when, and why did we start celebrating Father’s Day (or Mother’s Day for that matter)?
The first time we tried to officially celebrate Father’s Day in the United States was on June 19, 1910, in Washington state, organized by widower Sonora Smart Dodd, who asked churches and other organizations to rally behind her idea of Father’s Day. But Father’s Day was not made a national holiday until 1972, though Mother’s Day was declared a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson, to be honored on May 9, 1914, a holiday we continue to celebrate to this day.
Did you know that there are over 70 million fathers in the United States?
In a report published by the Pew Research Center in 2023, found that 24% of fathers reported giving their children too much freedom, compared to 16% of mothers. What we know about narratives we, as a society have held onto so tightly, is that they are changing. Changing social attitudes about the roles men and women play in the household, are reshaping the roles mothers and fathers play out in the community too. Today, we live in a world in which many different familial identities exist: same-sex households, single parent households with mothers as head of household, or single parent households with a father as the only parental figure in the home – families are changing, and our society is reflective of that change.
The Wilcoxson Father’s Club here in Stratford is out in our community, making a difference in the lives of children not only theirs. This group dads welcome fathers from all walks of life no matter what role these dads play at home, single, married, widowed, etc., they are fathers first, who show up for all of the children at Wilcoxson School.
We sat down with Connor Sullivan, the president of Wilcoxson School’s Father’s Club, to reflect both on fatherhood and the work of the Wilcoxson Father’s Club. The group launched in 2013, and has grown to include a roster of 30 Wilcoxson fathers.
“I’m able to teach my children things but also learn from them, and along with them. They motivate me to a better version of myself than I ever thought could possibly exist. “
They have made a huge difference in the school, from hosting fundraising events like the Can and Bottle Drive this past November, or selling goodies like Italian Ice for the back to school events. Connor said, “Aside from a monetary impact, I think our work is also very important because we are a very student-facing organization. The kids are able to see our group of guys band together, work hard, and then deliver impactful results. We are also always having a great time together, which shows how effective and enjoyable teamwork can be. The example we are hopefully providing is far more valuable than any donation of funds we can make.” The Father’s Club is making a difference in the lives of their own children, but also of the entire student and staff community within Wilcoxson.
In March, Julian Martinez, a member of the Father’s Club who also coaches softball for the Stratford Little League, volunteered to read and sponsor story time at Obodo Serendipity Books on the Green, with snacks and a book giveaway. As Julian shared with us, this year he’s leading the Father’s Club initiative to get books in the hands of kids. The Father’s Club unanimously decided to support the Summer Reading Challenge for Wilcoxson students in partnership with Obodo Serendipity Books. With books chosen from the list curated by the Stratford Library, students will have the opportunity to purchase two books from the Summer Reading List, and the Father’s Club will give them another from the list for free, in an effort to support their literacy skills throughout the summer.
“I welcome opportunities to be a positive figure in her friends’ lives, the way my friends’ dads were for me, helping me to become the man I am today.”
Julian chose to become a member of the Wilcoxson Father’s Club because, as he says, “I think children thrive in situations where they feel safe and can be themselves. Father’s Club looks to create that environment where all of the Wilcoxson children can be themselves and are in a good environment for learning. I guess you can say I’m 100% invested in the adage that ‘it takes a village to raise children’. I’m glad we have Wilcoxson Father’s Club in this village.”
Being a part of the Wilcoxson Father’s Club is a commitment, from organizing and running fundraising events to volunteering in the school to building strong relationships within the community. It is work. Six years ago, Connor made the decision to join the Wilcoxson Father’s Club when his daughter started kindergarten. He says, “Turns out it (joining the Father’s Club) was one of my best decisions ever, as I was immediately amazed at the groups’ plan and events for that year—the leadership, the camaraderie, and how seriously everyone took wanting to better the school experience for all the Wilcoxson students, faculty, and staff.”
Building community means building strong relationships, which these dads certainly do. Many dads also help with putting on the Wilcoxson Movie Night on the Green. They help with Little League and coach sports through Sterling House and/or Stratford Recreation Department. They show up and help out with school plays and concerts and more. They show up for our kids, because the Wilcoxson School community is a family. Connor shares, “Outside of what the group does for the school, the fathers in the Wilcoxson Father’s Club have become some of my good friends. My kids are close with many of their kids, our spouses are friends, and it has been amazing to go through our Wilcoxson journey together. Our priority will always be the school and the students, but I have personally gained so much from just participating in the WFC!”
And last Christmas season, Santa came to visit Obodo Serendipity Books, along with his Elf, Jaylin, then a 6th grader at Wilcoxson School. Santa came all dressed up, and well dressed too! Underneath the gear was Bernie Armstrong, a Father’s Club member. Bernie volunteered to bring cheer to our community at large, and did so with a smile. He too read a book to all of the little ones who attended the special story time.
No matter when the first official Father’s Day kicked off here in the United States, we know this much to be true: the Father’s Club at Wilcoxson School is an integral part of the school community. A BIG thank you to all of the dads who make up the Father’s Club. We hope you have a fabulous Father’s Day, knowing that not only your own children love and care for you, but that you’ve touched the lives of many children as part of the Wilcoxson School community.
Reflections from two dads this Father’s Day:
“Being a Dad is the best job ever. Like anything else it has its ups and downs, but nothing else I have ever done in life is as rewarding as being a Dad. I’m able to teach my children things but also learn from them, and along with them. They motivate me to a better version of myself than I ever thought could possibly exist. I couldn’t imagine my life without being the Dad of my kids!” – Connor Sullivan (dad to daughter Blake and son Bryce, both Wilcoxson students)
“Being a father means being a caretaker, a role model, a steward. I take my role in my daughter’s life very seriously, knowing our relationship will shape how her future relationships play out. And as she grows and her world expands beyond our household, I welcome opportunities to be a positive figure in her friends’ lives, the way my friends’ dads were for me, helping me to become the man I am today.” Julian Martinez (dad to daughter Penelope)
Do you want to start a Father’s Club at your child’s school? Or do you currently participate in a similar Club at your child’s school? We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us at nikkya@stratfordcrier.com and we’d be happy to connect.
Nikkya Hargrove is a mom, wife, journalist, author, and owner of Stratford’s only independent bookstore. She enjoys cooking dinner for her family, binge watching (any) television show with her wife, and spending time experiencing life with her family and dogs.
