Seventh Annual Day of Service Honors Pascal-Rene Weisberger on 20th Birthday

Volunteers gathered at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier to mark the seventh annual Pascal Weisberger Day of Service, a remembrance timed with what would have been Pascal-Rene Weisberger’s 20th birthday. The event brought together students, faith groups and residents across the Upper Keys for park cleanup, a food drive and pet-supply collections aimed at continuing the environmental and animal advocacy the community associates with Weisberger.

“Monday, Feb. 2 would have been the 20th birthday of the late Pascal Weisberger, the young man who left an indelible mark in the community between his environmental advocacy and affinity for helping animals,” organizers said in pre-event notices. The public cleanup at Harry Harris Park ran from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; trash bags, gloves, refreshments and logged community service hours were available to participants, according to event materials. A food drive at Burton Memorial Methodist Church in Tavernier accepted nonperishable items, while pet food donations were directed to the Upper Keys Humane Society, where Pascal volunteered much of his time.

Keysweekly noted the event’s growth, writing, “Now in its seventh year, the Day of Service honors the legacy of Weisberger through positive action within the community.” The observance began with leadership from Treasure Village Montessori’s then-principal Kelly Mangel and Ariel Poholek, Pascal’s father, who worked alongside local partners to launch the memorial effort. “Three years ago, Monroe County declared Feb. 2 as Pascal’s Annual Day of Service, encouraging students and community members to engage in cleanups and other acts of service,” Keysweekly reported, reflecting the county-level recognition organizers say helped expand participation.

The record of Pascal’s death is sensitive and has been reported with caution. Keysweekly stated, “The young boy died in a tragic May 7, 2020, incident when his older brother stabbed him to death in a psychotic attack. Weisberger was 14.” Local reporting and the family obituary stress remembrance and community action rather than detail the case; the Allenbeyer obituary described Pascal as “a very active and generous member of this community, often spending his free time volunteering.” The obituary also requested that “in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Upper Keys Humane Society.”

For residents, the Day of Service functions as both memorial and practical civic action: it offers documented community-service hours for students, coordinates volunteer supplies and channels donations to local social-service organizations. Participants were encouraged to post photos of their work to Facebook and Instagram at Pascal’s Way, and to donate items or money in his honor.

As the Upper Keys moves forward, organizers and county officials face follow-up questions about formal proclamations, participation metrics and long-term stewardship of Pascal’s legacy. For now, the Day of Service remains a locally rooted ritual that turns grief into visible civic maintenance and charitable giving, reinforcing volunteer networks that benefit parks, food banks and animal shelters across Monroe County.