Merrilee Boyack: Community Service ‘Is Like Breathing;’ Discusses Topic In New Book

It was a cold day in Detroit that Merrilee Boyack remembers sitting in her father’s car in front of a family friend’s house. The entire Boyack family had just spent hours hand-painting drums and cylinders with Disney characters for the young boy inside, who had recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

“I shall never forget the squeal of that little boy,” said Boyack, adding that the equipment was designed to help develop the child’s motor skills. “I will never forget how that felt. I was hooked from that day on.”

She was just 9 years old.

Now, as Boyack closes the chapter on her second and final City Council term, she begins a series of new chapters with her eighth book, “Standing Up In a Sit-Down World,” which explores the topic of community service and activism.

More than that, her book discusses different types of involvement, pointing out there’s no wrong way.

Boyack says such was the case in the 2007 wildfires when activists Gary Rossi, Roger Covalt, GeorgeAnne Smith and Kathryn Humberstone―Boyack’s sister―came up with different ideas about how to help survivors―whether it was collecting old bicycles and instruments to making blankets or opening a Christmas boutique.

“I watched each person take action in a way that was unique to their skills, but they all worked together to help others,” Boyack said.

Though Boyack is retiring from local politics, she plans on staying involved in the Poway Community Leadership Institute, the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps and Poway Spirit Day. She will also continue her humanitarian efforts in Africa.

“Community service is so much a part of my life it’s like breathing,” she said.

Her book, now available on DeseretBook.com, will be available on Amazon in September.