Family of the Year serves entire community

Being in the spotlight is something Pauline and James Haley have steadfastly avoided during their 40 years together.

But decades of unselfish service to Church and community have a way of catching up with even the most publicity shy of couples -- especially when three children and several grandchildren are seen following in their footsteps!

So outstanding is the example set by the three generations of Haleys that the clan was recently given a major award honoring them as the New York State Knights of Columbus "Family of the Year."

Serving others

"I'm not much of a speech-maker, but you could say we are very honored and very grateful to have received this award," said Mr. Haley. "Pauline and I do what we do because we enjoy being of service to others. We also think it's important to set a good example for our children and grandchildren to follow."

He added that he and his wife "are basically what you might call humble people" who never expected to be recognized in any way. "I guess you could say we kind of shy away from the spotlight."

Mr. Haley, who joined the K of C 25 years ago, is currently a Fourth Degree member. He is also a long-time member of the Holy Name Society and the Men's Club of St. Paul the Apostle in Schenectady. Both he and Pauline assist with the parish's Fall Family Festival. They also belong to the Schenectady City Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Haley is also an active member of the Rotterdam Elks and an associate member of the Polish-American Veterans. Both belong to the President's Club of WMHT and are supporters of Proctor's Theater in Schenectady.

Just helping out

Echoing her husband's sentiments about preferring to "keep a low profile" and wanting to "stay out of the limelight," Mrs. Haley, who is active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society and other church and community-based charities, said her reaction upon learning of the family's award was one of disbelief.

"To be truthful, we never thought our family was doing anything out of the ordinary," she said. "We all just tried to help out whenever and wherever we were needed. We've always been very happy and content to do things behind-the-scenes.

"We've always gotten involved in causes because we believed in them -- not for the glory," stressed Mrs. Haley, who has given countless hours to such organizations as Birthright and The Damien Center. "I've been active in Birthright because I believe abortion is wrong and because I think a lot of pregnant young women just need support and another chance. A lot of them have not had proper mothering, and they need a role model to show them what a positive experience it can be."

Involved

Likewise, she began collecting toiletries and clean bedding for The Damien Center after learning that there was a need for such items among the community's homeless as well as some AIDs patients. Her involvement as a supporter of the Scotia Baptist Retirement Center began after she learned of a need for bibs for many of the residents.

"Contrary to what many of people think, the residents aren't all elderly. Many are younger people who have suffered trauma or head injuries and are debilitated as a result of their injuries," she explained. "I, along with other Columbiettes -- the ladies behind the Knights -- sew bibs for them."

Mrs. Haley's other volunteer efforts include helping to make Braille alphabet books for blind children.

Passing it on

In choosing the Haleys to receive the inscribed plaque honoring them as the "model family" in New York State, the K of C also recognized the contributions of their children and grandchildren.

Sons Robert and James R. Haley are both Third Degree K of C members while daughter Barbara Haley Kapelle is a Columbiette. The Haleys also have nine grandchildren.

The Haley children and grandchildren frequently help out at K of C social functions and a number of the males, representing all three generations of the family, have been "regulars" on a weekly work crew that is helping to renovate the K of C hall in Rotterdam.

As grateful as they are to have received the recent K of C award, Pauline and James A. Haley insist the greatest reward for their efforts comes from watching their children and grandchildren grow into "caring, giving individuals who understand the importance of serving others."

They're a 'model family'...

Thomas M. Vara, deputy grand knight of Rotterdam Council No. 5703, told The Evangelist the Haleys are "the Council's paradigm" in that "they reflect the principles of our order for serving neighbors in need."

The Council nominated the Haleys for the state-wide award, he said, "because we considered them to be a model family for all to follow in every respect of service to the Church, community and K of C Council, as well as to each other. The fact that the children and grandchildren are so often there to help, always giving that extra effort, was also an important consideration in the family's nomination.

"We are proud that they were selected to receive this award, even though it's something the Haleys would never have gone after on their own. They are just the nicest people you'd ever want to meet, and they don't want any recognition for their good deeds. We went ahead and nominated them anyway because we felt they deserved this honor, and we are delighted that they were selected out of all the K of C families in the state to receive it." (AH)

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