Pat Kennish receives Alaska vounteer award

As Patricia “Pat” Kennish quietly walked onto the stage, as if she was trying to go unnoticed by the crowd, people cheered and applauded her. Seeking out the spotlight is not Kennish’s style, she admitted. So, as she made her way to the announcer with a faint smile, she gently grabbed her trophy, shyly took a photo, and walked back to her seat without giving a speech, unlike other award winners.

Reserved is how one could describe Kennish from the view of the crowd that day, but the friends and colleagues who know her describe her as “the spark” or “ringleader” of her Catholic church and the non-profit organizations she’s involved in. Although she may not admit it, that’s why the Alaska Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded her with “Outstanding Volunteer in Philanthropy” at the annual Alaska Philanthropy Day Conference’s award ceremony.

“I didn’t earn this on my own,” Kennish said after the crowds dispersed from the La Perouse room of the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center in Downtown Anchorage on Nov. 16. “It is humbling, overwhelming, and even embarrassing. I do not do anything by myself. I am part of a group, many groups that are trying to make a difference, and I am in turn inspired by the people around me.”

Although she appeared reserved moments earlier, Kennish’s eyes sparkled as her warm voice touched on Catholic social justice issues and the impact local non-profits have on the disadvantaged and volunteers who help them. Pat Kennish lives and breathes virtues of Vatican II, an ecumenical outreach to address the needs of the modern world, said her husband John Kennish, who attended the award ceremony.

“I really want to stress that I am not unique. In our parish are many people involved in a variety of activities serving the community. They influence what I do,” she said in a truly Catholic fashion.

Originally from southern New Jersey, Kennish, 78, and her husband moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1979. They joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church that same year and have continued to be members of the parish. The couple have been married for 58 years.

Kennish worked as a children’s librarian at Loussac Library and at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary School, where she also taught computer skills. She is now retired.

Outside of her career, she’s devoted many hours and dollars to various non-profits and programs dedicated to helping people in need, such as Habitat for Humanity Anchorage’s 1000 Women House. She was a part of the group when it was originally called 100 Women House. The sponsorship program is run by women and has funded 11 homes for 58 adults and children, according to Habitat for Humanity Anchorage’s website.

“My most active participation in the construction of houses occurred in the ‘90s through early 2000s,” Kennish said. “I really enjoyed watching the houses go up and meeting the families.

“In the early years, there was just one house built each year sponsored by the larger community,” she said. “With the faith-based focus of Habitat for Humanity, we and other faith communities were encouraged to sponsor a house, raise money, find volunteers, and accompany the families.”

She explained how stressful, but rewarding, it was to raise the funds for families during those early years of the program. As time passed, she saw the program get wealthier donors involved and larger projects fulfilled. Being “the spark” that her friends claim her to be, she stepped away from the program and moved on to other social justice issues that caught her attention.

Currently, she and her husband volunteer their time between the Alaska Workers Association, an association that helps low-paid workers, and RESULTS, a non-partisan advocacy group that advocates for anti-poverty policies to local legislators. Every week, the couple transports pallets of fruits and vegetables donated by Charlie’s Produce Anchorage to Mountain View Community Church for Alaska Workers members to acquire.

“In terms of the “Two Feet of Love in Action,” this represents one foot, that of charitable works addressing immediate needs,” Kennish said. “RESULTS represents the second foot, that of addressing systemic causes of problems affecting vulnerable members of our society, domestic and global.”

She has learned how tax credits can help reduce child poverty, which she advocates for to Alaska’s delegation in Washington through their staff, local offices, and even trips to the nation’s capital.

“It is empowering as a constituent to bring concerns to those who may have the power to make change,” she said. “I hope my activities with Alaska Workers and RESULTS, the ‘Two Feet of Love in Action,’ impact people’s lives directly.”

Even with all the years of volunteer work constructing homes, providing food to the disadvantaged, and advocating for the impoverished, she admits the most powerful way to impact others is to be truly present to them.

“Look into their eyes, recognize God’s presence, honor their dignity, and don’t be afraid of them,” she said.

It’s a way of life she learned in her early days as a child living with her parents in New Jersey. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). It’s the first scripture teaching she ever learned, even if she wasn’t aware of it when her mother taught her that lesson.

Yet, with all the good she has done and continues to do, she still proudly claims that she is not special.

“I have been involved here for many years and have gotten to know so many people, some as volunteers and some I have encountered as I worked,” Kennish said. “They all inspire me. They teach me. I love being with them.”