Some three hundred homeschoolers brought over two hundred cherry pies to the thirty-fourth ICHE Cherry Pie Day at the Capitol in Springfield last Friday. According to ICHE Legislative Task Force chairman, Ashton Bandy, the day was a complete success. Not only did all the legislators receive pies, so did numerous personnel like security guards, kitchen staff, journalism department, and janitorial workers.
Executive Director Kirk Smith said, “We want this to be more than just cherry pies; we want to make a lasting, positive impact at the Capitol complex, so that when the homeschoolers are in town, everyone is glad to see us. We do not yell, complain, or demand, but well-mannered young people who have smiles on their faces tell their legislators, ‘Thanks for leaving us alone.’”
Will Estrada from Home School Legal Defense gave a brief history of the battles it took to make Illinois one of the best states in the nation in which to homeschool in. He also added a personal observation, “I was struck by the cheerfulness, warmth, energy, and passion of the kids and families who attended Cherry Pie Day. No staffer, elected official, or security guard was a stranger. The attendees’ enthusiasm was infectious and was an incredible testimony of the effectiveness and success of homeschooling. Events like Cherry Pie Day are worth their weight in gold in showing our leaders that homeschool freedom works!”
ICHE Legislative Task Force member Christo Dimoulis reminded everyone of the biblical reality, “We are only one generation away from apostasy, so we must continue to remind the next generation of why we do what we do.” Several legislators and homeschooling lobbyist, Ralph Rivera, reiterated the same sentiment.
Homeschooling mom, Tori Whitacker, had her own Divine appointment at Cherry Pie Day:
“While attending Cherry Pie Day, I encountered a lady who was returning books at the library and heard homeschooling mentioned. She asked why all these homeschoolers where gathered, and I told her we were passing our cherry pies to thank our government for the homeschooling laws in Illinois. She then told me a bit about herself and that she is expecting her first child, and she and her husband have been praying if homeschooling is the route for them. She said that she had been asking God for a sign that would confirm yes or no to homeschooling. ‘This is what I walked in to today, I think this is my sign,’ she went on to say with a big smile on her face. She said her biggest reservation and fear is that she was not equipped to teach. I responded with a big smile and an emphatic yes you are! ‘I was not a straight A student thru school nor was my husband, but by Gods grace He has equipped us to teach our kids and he will do the same for you.’ My oldest daughter, who is fifteen, was standing there and the lady asked if we had taught her the whole way thru, I said yes and added we are relearning Chemistry and Geometry right along with her. She gratefully thanked me for talking with her. I know God put me there at the right time.
This was a great example that people are always watching and listening no matter where we are. Our strong presence that day made an impact on this lady and showed her that homeschooling can and is being done by hundreds of people. Our purpose demonstrated we are doing things differently. She even remarked how nice our large group looked. Keep doing what your doing ICHE and homeschoolers of Illinois; we are making a difference for Gods glory.”
We want to give an additional shout out to LTF members John and Nicole Castle, who with the help of Julie and J.C. Harrison, took care of the pie table. Also, Steve and Kelley Bandy provided wonderful finger foods to end the day. Finally, a big thank you to Christie Black and the TeenPact volunteers who stayed busy throughout the day.
These encounters remind us that Cherry Pie Day is much more than handing out pies to Illinois legislators. It is one way for Christian homeschoolers can reflect the glory of Christ in post-Christian culture that desperately needs to see Him.
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