June 12, 2007
Albany - It's a rite of passage for boys, getting their first tie and of course learning how to tie it. But many young men don't have a father figure to pass on a tie, or that all important lesson of tying a half Windsor. But that doesn't mean they can't learn. And with the help of leaders throughout Albany, 30 young men got that chance Tuesday.
It seems so confusing. Do you loop once or twice? Or are you supposed to flip first? Tying a tie, can get just about anyone tied in knots. But with just the right touch, and a little lesson, it can be done.
"I think it's really great," said Jonathan Jefferson, "because some kids don't really know how to tie and tie, and some forgot." But not him. Jonathan may still need a little help, but he knows about ties, thanks to District Attorney Ken Hodges.
"That's the neat thing, and I obviously didn't realize the impact," said Hodges. The impact he had on Jonathan after giving him a tie. You see, Jonathan doesn't have a dad at home, so Hodges went through his collection of ties and found one that would suit him for school. He said, "I went home and picked a tie, just like the one he described he needed and found it and brought it to give to him."
A tie that binds the two together, like all the community leaders who donated one of their own ties for young men who are members of the Albany Boys and Girls club. "It's symbolic of course, but it's a step that all these community leaders want to come forward and work with them on this," said Hodges. "These kids, it's a step in the right direction in the transition from boyhood to manhood." "I guess today was that day," said Jonathan.
Plus, he really digs his new tie. He said, "I like the colors. I love blue a lot and it has gold in it too, which is another one of my favorite colors."
Ties that Bind was sponsored by Phoebe as part of men's health week. They plan on hosting the event annually.
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