Monday, Feb. 2 would have been the 20th birthday of the late Pascal Weisberger, the young man who left an indelible mark in the community between his environmental advocacy and affinity for helping animals.
Now in its seventh year, the Day of Service honors the legacy of Weisberger through positive action within the community. The young boy died in a tragic May 7, 2020, incident when his older brother stabbed him to death in a psychotic attack. Weisberger was 14.
A day of service in honor of Weisberger began under Treasure Village Montessori’s then-principal Kelly Mangel, who worked alongside Ariel Poholek, Pascal’s father, and the community. The day has grown exponentially over the years with schools, organizations and individuals mobilizing in the Keys to remember Weisberger’s contributions to a community he loved.
Three years ago, Monroe County declared Feb. 2 as Pascal’s Annual Day of Service, encouraging students and community members to engage in cleanups and other acts of service.
“It’s been a beautiful experience to see Pascal’s Day of Service become an annual tradition, not just with those it started with at TVM and the people who knew Pascal directly, but throughout the Upper Keys community and beyond, with schools from Key Largo to a number of schools in Key West taking part,” Poholek said. “I am very sure Pascal would be incredibly humbled by the many ways he has been recognized.”
Barry Wray, Pascal’s running coach, said the annual day of service is the only day designated in honor of a local resident that promotes community service in the Florida Keys. The awareness of and appreciation has been seen far and wide from those who dedicated a memorial bench at the dog park in Islamorada to adults who donated blood, to beneficiaries like the Upper Keys Humane Society, which have received many in-kind contributions.
“There is no easy measure of community service in terms of money, or number of events, or happiness quotient, but each year the participation grows with more schools actively engaging and encourage students to take part during the school day,” Wray said.
As part of the activities, a food drive at the Burton Memorial Methodist Church in Tavernier is accepting nonperishable items. Pet food donations can also go to support the Upper Keys Humane Society, a place Weisberger volunteered much of his time.
People can also donate items or money to an organization of their choice in honor of Weigsberger. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their service and acts of kindness to Facebook and Instagram at Pascal’s Way.
As part of the day of service, the public is invited to a cleanup from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. where Weisberger spent much of his time — Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. Trash bags, gloves, refreshments and logged community service hours are available.
Those who can’t make it to the cleanup are encouraged to join the next pickup, Saturday, Feb. 14 at Old Settlers Park in Tavernier. Pascal’s Way conducts monthly cleanups every second Saturday in conjunction with Monroe County Parks & Beaches. Together, the past three cleanups held last November, December and this month removed roughly 630 pounds of debris.
Poholek said he hopes the biggest impact of Pascal’s Day of Service will be on the young members of the Florida Keys community.
“Participating in this tradition each year will reinforce the importance of giving back to others and taking care of the environment that we share and demonstrate that this is a vital part of being a good human and community member,” he said. “Hopefully by seeing the event being in honor of a young person like them, and through their own actions to do good, they will recognize that even as kids they can make a positive impac ton the world.”
Visit Pascal’s Way on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. The annual day of service is one of two events held to honor Weisberger. The fifth annual Pascal’s Way 5K Run/Walk is set for May 2. Those interested in sponsoring the race can contact Poholek at apoholek@gmail.com.
