Stephen Ash

Stephen Ash is the personification of persistence.

For the past 23 years the retired high school math teacher has been focused on a singular goal — to have the first Friday in February designated as a worldwide school day to help people in need.

"Every community has people who are in need and people who are able to help out," said Ash, co-founder of Educators Totally Committed.

The idea started as a conversation between Ash and fellow retiree Jerry Starr nearly a quarter-century ago. Both are members of the Kenmore Teachers Association, headed by Don Benker.

As the story goes, Starr forgot his gloves one winter day. While he thawed his frosty digits, Starr thought about the homeless and other less fortunate members in the community.

"He said there are people in need of help, and we are the people who need to help," Ash said.

Thus began Educators Totally Committed. Soon after, the teachers held their first sleepout.

Educators and students from the Erie County district slept outdoors in cardboard boxes — on the first Friday in February — to raise money and collect small items for the homeless.

Fast-forward 23 years: The group, now including students and educators from Clarence and other western New York schools, has raised more than $700,000 for area homeless agencies.

"We collect cash, tables, lamps and other small furniture and personal care items," Ash said. "We get anywhere from 75 to 115 bags of gently used clothing."

Ash's ultimate goal is for schools across the world to come together on a single day to help those in need.

Ash says educators and students from kindergarten through college can find ways to help others. "It's kids just getting involved to help kids in their own community," he said.

Even young children understand being cold or having an empty tummy, he pointed out.

"I'm optimistic enough to believe that if one teacher does it, then the next year two teachers might do it and so on."

Ash has taken his mission to Kenmore area officials, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson, who proclaimed a community school day in 2008 to help people in need. "We're asking him to make it permanent," Ash said.

Ash has also been working with UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — to designate the first Friday in February as a day of action for schools and students worldwide.

"The UN has said if we can get seven or eight governors on board with permanently established days then maybe we can get a nationwide day. Then there is a better chance to get a worldwide day," Ash said.

"I so believe in it. We want to see kids get involved at an early age and get them used to helping others in need," Ash said.