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Assistant Managing Editor LONGMEADOW Elyse Lauro pulled the worn photograph from her wallet and offered it. "He would have been twenty-nine," she said with pride. Her skin is fair and her hair considerably whiter than the head of dark hair she sprouted in the newspaper clippings sprinkled across the conference room table. Her voice is light and pleasant, but there is also a tinge of toughness behind it that breathes strength into every word she utters about her late son Philip. In April 1986, Philip Michael Lauro II, an eight-year-old student at Blueberry Hill Elementary School, according to contemporary news reports, was killed by a car. For the last 20 years his family has been keeping his name alive through the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room inside of Storrs Library. She hopes that others in the community will be inspired to make book contributions to their own causes. Through a foundation named after Philip, the Lauros have donated books and hosted children's programs at least twice a year at Storrs. "Watching children in town grow has been a positive thing for our family," Lauro said. She explained that contributing to the library has been a way to keep Philip's name alive. "Philip was extremely bright and gifted and he loved books," Lauro said. "An acquaintance came up to me at Philip's wake and told me that she was donating a book in Philip's memory called "Once There was a Tree" by Natalia Romanova. "I then donated "The Little Prince" to some of the libraries that Philip and I had frequented together ... and then every month thereafter I would donate a new book to the Storrs Library. It certainly kept me going and the rest is history." Lauro felt like she was being guided to accomplish these things and that this has been a way to "turn a very, very, very tragic situation into a positive way to perpetuate Philip's life." On Jan. 6, Lauro helped host "A Visit with Mother Goose," presented by Monica Bleasius. Bleasius used props, partial costuming, songs, and magic to entertain and stimulate the imagination of the young attendees. Donations from the Philip Michael Lauro II Memorial Fund help keep programs like this at Storrs. "There's been a lot of cuts in state grants over the years," Lauro said, adding that they also try to use the memorial fund to donate necessities like furniture. "My goal is to [keep] bringing in children's artists to inspire children to become strong readers and writers," Lauro added. On the table she pointed to thank-you letters she has received. While she is grateful, the former teacher said she wants others to consider donating books to their children's school or local library. "It's almost like that movie, 'Pay it Forward,'" she said. "I'd like [our children] to work with the library forever, long after we're gone." Lauro hopes to host the next children's event in April during school vacation. Those interested in making donations to Storrs Library, or any artists interested in performing, can contact Martha Richard, head of youth services, at 565-4182. | ||||||
