Paul Safina Character & Achievement Scholarship

In the heart of Traverse City, Michigan, where metal sings and sparks fly, there's a legend, our father, Paul Safina. At 86, his weathered hands, calloused from a life dedicated to service, still dance across lathes and mills, breathing life into steel in the machine shop of the Northwest Education Services Career Tech. But here's the twist: he doesn't get paid. He volunteers. Every. Single. Week.

Dad's journey began not in a workshop, but on the steel decks and in the engine room of the USS Intrepid. He served our country with honor, forging a bond with machinery that transcended the battlefield. He later became an operating engineer for the schools in New York City where he mentored countless others in the complexities and details of operating boilers and maintaining large school buildings. It was there where the sparks of educating others ignited. Years later, when he retired, he didn't stop. He found his calling at North Ed Career Tech, sharing his knowledge and unwavering spirit with every student who walked through the machine shop classroom door.

Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, most would choose rest. But not Dad. He chooses the whirring symphony of the machine shop, the eager faces of young minds yearning to learn. Why? Because he sees himself in them. As a young Navy veteran, he once stood in those shoes, unsure of his path. And, it was mentors like him who ignited a passion that shaped his life.

For 17 years, Paulie, as he’s known by his students, has been that spark. There's a twinkle in his eyes as he guides a trembling hand on a lathe, a gruff chuckle as he explains the intricacies of a welding torch. He doesn't just teach machining; he instills a love for learning, a belief in hard work, and a resilience that mirrors the steel he shapes. He shows them that calloused hands can create beauty, that dedication conquers doubt, and that service – to ourselves, our skills, and our community – is the truest reward.

Dad witnessed countless transformations, from shy boys and girls to confident young adults, each one leaving the tech center with not just a new skill, but a piece of his spirit embedded in their hearts. He's touched countless lives. His students become machinists, engineers, inventors, carrying the torch of ingenuity and compassion he ignited. Yet, the journey isn't always easy. Financial hurdles often threaten to dim Paulie’s students’ dreams.

That's why we, his children, are creating this GoFundMe campaign. In his honor, together with North Ed Career Tech we want to establish the Paul Safina Character & Achievement Scholarship, a beacon of hope for deserving North Ed Career Tech graduates facing financial barriers. It's our way of ensuring his legacy resonates beyond the machine shop, beyond his lifetime.

By contributing, you're not just giving money; you're investing in futures. You're amplifying the impact of a man who, even battling his own fight, chooses to empower others. You're keeping the flame of opportunity alive for young minds inspired by a legend who, despite the odds, still chooses to teach, to serve, and to inspire.

Help us honor his dedication by nurturing the next generation of builders, engineers, dreamers, and doers. Together, we can ensure that dad’s spirit – forged in steel, tempered by compassion – continues to shape the future, one spark at a time.

Upon his tenth year of volunteering at North Ed Career Tech, Paul was recognized for his service by the local news station. Click on this link to see the news coverage: 80 Year Old Volunteers to Make a Difference

Please donate today and be a part of Dad’s legacy.

Thank you,

Michael, Carmela, Angela, & Christopher