Capital visit eye-opening

Have a Heart for Kids Day was this past Presidents Day in Olympia. This is an annual event put on by the Children’s Alliance, a child advocate group, to raise awareness of legislation affecting children and families in Washington.

I was part of a group of parents, school staff and some wonderful children who left Spokane at 3 a.m. to make the trip. There was an undercurrent of excitement as we started down the long trip to our state capital. Many of us had never even seen the place where so many decisions about our lives are made.

Many parents, like me, are not really aware of what is going on in Olympia. The fact that our representatives are making decisions on a daily basis that affect our children is something that may not occur to many parents.

The trip was eye-opening. We learned about bills that would affect early learning and education, hot lunches at schools, foster care and health care. We were able to have our voices heard by our legislators and tell them how we felt. After lunch there was a rally to the capitol steps, and even though it was raining and windy the group of hundreds from all over the state stood tall and listened to the speakers who came to encourage us and support the children of Washington.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, the House majority whip, gave a rousing speech on how important all of the state’s children are, while Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla, belted out into song about how “I believe the children are our future.”

All of the representatives and speakers gave the same message: We cannot fail our children, we need a better life for children in foster care, health care for every child, quality learning for the youngest children and a hot lunch for the hungry children.

LeAnna Jones was one of the parents from the Spokane area who attended. “My experience of going to Olympia was exciting knowing that everyone was able to come together and be united for the same reason, to agree that our children should be number one in our lives and that we need to invest in our children’s future,” she wrote in a letter describing her experience.

Her 12-year-old daughter, Miracle, echoed those sentiments. “You know, I never thought I’d hear so many voices to help kids.”

How wonderful for the children, who cannot yet have their voices heard, to be able to see that there are adults fighting for them.

Audra Wilson, also from the Spokane group, wrote: “It really makes me feel good inside to know that I’m making a difference in the lives of my children and all the children in Washington. Some of our legislators are not aware of certain issues until we speak to them. One person can make a difference.”

On the ride home all of us were exhausted but satisfied in the knowledge that we did our part to make our leaders hear what is important to us and to our children. My hope is that next year Spokane will be an even bigger voice in the state capital and we can really be a presence in Olympia.

How can you get involved? You do not have to be a part of any group, or have any special skills or knowledge to let your voice be heard. Find out about the bills you are interested in and how to contact your legislators by going to the legislative Web site at www.leg.wa.gov.