Happy Father’s Day To Cleveland Holden

In celebration of Father's Day on Sunday June 17, we asked Patch readers to write a letter to their father and let us deliver it. This is Toni and Gerald's letter to their dad:

My father, Cleveland Holden, has been my pillar of strength since I was born. This man has taught me how to view the world as an inclusive society, a society that accepts and acknowledges all nationalities, ethnic backgrounds and cultures. We are living in an “all lives matter” society. All eyes are looking at those individuals who are in the position of power and have the opportunity to treat every American citizen as equal as the next.

Throughout my childhood years, my father would take my brother and me to all sorts of happenings around the Chicagoland area. These included museums, zoos, local circus acts, music and book shops and shopping at all corners of Illinois.

The shopping was the best part of my growing up because I had the opportunity to shop at the best department stores, and we didn’t go broke in doing so. We’d go to Marshall Fields, Carson Pirie Scott, Lew Magram, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, the list goes on and on. We would power shop, and when we were ready to purchase merchandise, the stores would often owe my father money because of his strategic use of coupons and pairing them with deep store discounts!

Cleveland has always been a savvy shopper. On Sundays he would peruse both the Sunday Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune looking through the advertisements, checking for sales and clipping whatever coupons he could find to save money! That system has worked for him for many, many years. My father taught me how to save money by looking for bargains, comparing savings before spending, learning percentages and how to apply those percentages and coupons to a bill of sale.

My father is a Hyde Park Historical Society board member and has participated, volunteered and lobbied for the many changes you see in the Hyde Park neighborhood today. He was a manager of a staple restaurant back in the late 60s through the early 80s (you may have heard of Chances R Restaurant and Pub located on Harper Ct. in Hyde Park).

My father taught me what volunteering was all about. At the ripe age of 10 I had my first experience of volunteering my services during a Taste of Hyde Park function held at the University of Chicago. My job was to meet and greet people who frequented the event.

“Give more of yourself, and you will find out more about yourself and establish confidence in yourself that no one else can take away. Find out who you are by doing for others and not expecting anything in return.” My father taught this to his children by leading by example. One of my best qualities is having a welcoming spirit with a burst of zest and energy when I talk with people. Inclusion is everything if you want to get ahead in life.
Cleveland also volunteers at the Museum of Science and Industry, and on Mondays you will find him playing taps as a volunteer bugler at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.

Cleveland’s influence on me shows through my parenting skills, my work ethic as an employee and as an active society member in my community. Hands down, Cleveland is the best father any child could ask for. My brother and I are lucky to have a father who is present and active in our lives and a contributing member of society. We love you, Daddy! Happy Father’s Day.

—Toni and Gerald Holden

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See all Father's Day letters here.

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Image Credit: Toni McGee