Lee Raines says her age is "top secret," but the energetic retired Hoboken teacher has enough vitality to make a whirling dervish feel lethargic.
Raines spent 41 years teaching at Hoboken schools and now, seven years into her retirement, volunteers one day a week to teach Holocaust Studies to first, second, and third graders. On Monday, Raines had a special learning item with her when she came to class.
At a silent auction held by Henri Bendel in Manhattan on Sept. 14 to raise money for Sept. 11 charities, Raines had bid for and won a handbag made out of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s ties.
Monday, Raines brought the bag to the Calabro Primary School to teach the children about Sept. 11 and Giuliani’s contribution to society over the last year.
"He is a wonderful and kind person," said Raines of Giuliani. "[The bag] can help teach a lesson to the children about bravery and courage and all the people that have helped out since the 9/11 catastrophe."
She added that while she likes the bag, its symbolic importance is much more transcendent.
"I feel very lucky that I got it," she said. "Not because of the fact that it’s a handbag, but because of what it means and the fact that the money goes to the 9/11 victims."
After talking to the children about 9/11, she took them to Hoboken City Hall to meet with Mayor David Roberts in celebration of Citizenship Day.
Raines said that there’s a reason that she teaches citizenship and Holocaust Studies.
"I hope that I can stress the values of kindness, tolerance, respect, and caring," she said. "Because if they learn these values and grow up with all of these good things inside them, then there will never be a Holocaust ever again and we can eliminate prejudice and hatred throughout the world."
Raines is zestfully involved with the Hoboken Education Association and with retired teachers’ organizations. She also spent 62 years involved with the Hoboken Girl Scouts, as a scout leader or a volunteer.
"The best way to stay young is to keep active and volunteer your time," said Raines. "It’s not the money that keeps you young. It’s staying active."