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Today was my first day of mentoring kindergarteners at Chrysler Elementary School near downtown Detroit.

What can I say?

It was great. The kids were so cute.

I was in charge of the “clay station.”

I told the kids, “Wow, I’m in charge of clay and my name is Clay. HOW WEIRD IS THAT?”

And they said, “You’re name is Mr. Clay?”

Another girl called me Mrs. Clay.

“No, my first name is Clayton and lots of people call me Clay. But never Mrs. Clay.”

“I’m making a pizza out of clay,” a little girl replied.

“Pizza is good,” I said.

“That’s a blueberry pie, not pizza,” said another girl. “How can pizza be blue?”

Man, that’s a good point. I’ve never seen a blue pizza. These little girls had the wisdom.

I’ve volunteered to mentor kids at Chrysler one day a week for the next several months. The Detroit Public Schools (DPS) have had a lot of problems lately and, as a graduate of DPS, I figured it was finally time to give something back.

Plus Quicken Loans is such an awesome company that they allow me to go over to the school during the work day to help out. I’m one of about 25 team members (not sure the actual number) that go once a week from Quicken Loans over to Chrysler Elementary to mentor, as part of the Quicken Loans Community DIFF program.

The kids were so happy and appreciative to have us there today. It was heartwarming. They seriously were all cute as buttons.

I’m looking forward to going back next Thursday morning and helping out again. Like I said, the DPS can use all the help it can get right now, and I’m honored to be able to do what I can. Plus, I’m honored to work for a company that would donate the hours and money necessary to have its employees spend time helping at the school.

This week I showed the kids how to use clay to mold objects. It was a lesson in spontaneous creativity. I was surprised how creative some of these little kids were.

Next week I’ll probably do something else. Maybe I’ll read them a book or two. I’m pretty good at storytelling.

I’m sure they’ll love it.

Until next week…

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