Whether she’s teaching one of her Mannerly Manners courses, volunteering at a food shelf or helping at a local school, Marilyn G. Pentel lives a life full of giving back. The lengthy list of Pentel’s contributions to the community and her philosophy of giving create an inspirational model for others to follow. Below, she offers insight into opportunities to reach out to others and ways to make giving a part of your everyday life.
Give Continuously
For Minnetrista resident Pentel, giving is a way of living. She grew up in a family of volunteers and found, “once you start giving, it’s easy to keep on giving,” she says. She describes her lifestyle as one where she lives in the moment and gives in the moment. Pentel takes each day as an opportunity. When a need arises in her community, she responds to that need. Keeping her focus on the needs of the area has allowed her to continually reach out to others.
Value Respect
As Pentel reaches out to the community, she shares her value of respect. After working in early childhood education and volunteering in classrooms, Pentel envisioned a program that focused on children treating each other with respect. In 1986, Pentel made her vision a reality and created a company called Mannerly Manners to teach children and adults manners and respect.
According to the program, respect is defined as treating others with compassion, love and kindness. Over the course of ten years, Pentel researched ways to share this information while meeting the needs of a variety of learners. Her program started as one class in one dance studio. It quickly became successful and soon grew to be featured in seven different community education programs and other organizations. Mannerly Manners continues to offer a variety of courses for different ages and groups.
Focus on Community
For Pentel, she was rewarded for her work at Mannerly Manners by seeing the community benefit from the program. As Pentel saw the success, she volunteered her time and shared her materials with additional community groups. For example, she has empowered Girl Scouts throughout the lake area by providing activities and courses. Three times a year, Pentel hosts Girl Scouts as they gather around tables to have tea, learn about manners and learn to be strong young women. In addition, Pentel shares her classes with Boy Scouts and parent-child groups. She is also working with the Minnesota Autism Society, and teaches classes to the North Minneapolis Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club of America.
Pentel’s love of learning and dedication to meet the needs of each group leads her to continually research ways to individualize these classes. While the specific teaching tools change, helping children and adults show respect by treating others with compassion, love and kindess remains the core value of each class.
Give Generously
Whether it is time, energy or a voice for others, Pentel’s community involvement expands far beyond her Mannerly Manners courses. According to Pentel, “there is always something you can give.” Her generosity stretches into classrooms, advocacy work and other needs as they arise.
Within area schools, Pentel volunteered in classrooms where her children and now grandchildren attend. She’s also worked with law makers to change a law that protects children who have been abused and volunteered as a Guardian ad litem for Hennepin County. Pentel has also found time to help out at the Excelsior Food Shelf, a satellite location of the ICA Food Shelf. It’s true that wherever Pentel finds a need, she reaches out.
Pentel lives a life where she is continually giving to others, and she will not stop any time soon. It is simply her way of living. For people who are considering following Pentel’s lead, she offers the encouragement that “giving makes you give more. If you do that with love in your heart, the reward comes back to you with the feeling of love from the people you help,” she says.
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Interested in taking a Mannerly Manners course? Find out more on Pentel’s website or sign up for one of the following classes:
Best the Best You Can Be
Age level: Teen (grades 6–11)
9 a.m.–4 p.m., Aug. 9
Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins
Mannerly Manners Rule!
Age level: Youth (ages 7–15)
9 a.m.–4 p.m., Aug. 11
Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins
