Making a Difference – an expansion of Do the Right Thing

Former City Councilman and two-time mayor Hank Stratford created Clayton’s Do the Right Thing program 8-9 years ago in conjunction with school administrators and the Clayton Business and Community Association.

Council members and city staff support the program, and the City Council recognizes Mt. Diablo Elementary, Diablo View Middle and Clayton Valley Charter High school students for exhibiting six character traits: responsibility, respect, kindness, self-discipline, integrity and courage.

This year, I have been working with Councilman CW Wolfe to expand the program by launching recognition of adults in our community who are outstanding, exemplary or inspiring – making our community a better place.

Instead of divisive rhetoric, I strongly believe our community ought to focus on celebrating the positives. Clayton has been and continues to be a great city and community, and as such, there is no need for it to be saved from anything. Instead, let’s work together to maintain Clayton as an awesome community, embracing and allowing for our differences of opinions.

Many people in Clayton regularly extend themselves to make a difference, without thought of recognition. They inspire the rest of us to do better.

Wolfe and I are proposing a pilot program that will identity and honor adults “Making a Difference” in our community, who clearly go above and beyond to help others and are an important part in making Clayton the community it is. The pilot program will have no impact on the existing Do the Right Thing program, and we will continue to recognize students.

Instead of utilizing the six character traits, Making a Difference will recognize adults based on different themes. The first theme will recognize an outstanding teacher, mentor or coach. Subsequent themes will include outstanding volunteer or community contributor.

In order to recognize outstanding adults, we need your help. If you know of an outstanding teacher, mentor or coach, please submit the name of the nominee and brief description of the reason for the nomination by email to claytonmakingadifference@gmail.com.

Clayton Library and its volunteers. The Clayton Library recently celebrated its 24th birthday, and the city recognized April 7-13 as Clayton Community Library Volunteers Week and Clayton Community Library Week. The Clayton Library is the first in the county to allow in-library volunteers, which was the result of a group of residents who were determined to make the Clayton Library a reality. Clayton volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year.

Pay It Forward. April 28 is International Pay It Forward Day for random acts of kindness, which could include volunteering for a cause or event in our community – such as schools, any of our wonderful organizations or the Clayton Library.

Mayor’s office hours. Visit me 9-10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Cup O’ Jo downtown. Or stop by the Art & Wine Festival on April 27-28. I will be at or near the volunteer check-in booth both days, from beginning to the end.

Contact me at tcatalano@ci.clayton.ca.us and follow at facebook.com/CouncilmemberTuijaCatalano for more updates.