'$1 million worth of work for a hug and a smile': Cubie Rae Hayes rarely stops and Montgomery is better for it

Along one wall within Lanier High's cafeteria is the painted silhouette of Cubie Rae Hayes, situated beneath a palm tree with a sun setting in the background.

Completed recently by a student, Hayes had collected donated paints from the community to give the formerly drab room a face-lift. When the artwork was unveiled, the student told Hayes she hopes she'll get the chance to relax in such a way some day. 

That isn't bound to happen anytime soon, though. 

"When my body shuts down, I'll sit down," Hayes said with a smile. 

Aside from working as the parent liaison at Lanier — serving as the conduit between the needs of students and their families and those who can help meet them — Hayes is the caretaker for her husband and son, a nonprofit leader, an organizer and an avid member of her church. 

For these reasons, Hayes is the Montgomery Advertiser’s Community Hero for August, an honor sponsored by Beasley Allen Law Firm. A person you just don't say no to, Hayes has called on her vast network developed over years of giving to continually improve lives. Her impact is dynamic and far-reaching. 

"Yeah, I get tired like everyone else, but God gives me the opportunity to go on and finish my jobs," Hayes said. "This keeps me young."

Hayes started working at Lanier as a substitute teacher in 2013. Over the next two years, Principal Antonio Williams watched Hayes' activity in the community, leading him to ask if she'd be interested in working as the school's parent liaison. 

"Because a lot of parents' own negative experiences in school, we knew we needed a person they could trust in the building," Williams said. Since then, she's proven to be a person trusted not just by parents, but by students, staff, teachers and administrators who know Hayes can be relied on. 

"She definitely goes above and beyond," Williams said.

"Anything we ask her to do, she does with a smile on her face. ... I know if I need anything from the community, Cubie is my first call," he added. 

As a parent liaison for Montgomery Public Schools, the district encourages each to establish a parent center in their schools and host at least one monthly activity for parents to attend. 

Beyond that, Hayes has been the forerunner on many other initiatives. 

"These students are my babies. I have a passion and I have to be there for them," Hayes said about her job. 

There is the school's food pantry, which has grown from serving seven to 15 families with a box of food each week. There is the clothing closet, created so students wouldn't have to leave class if they didn't have on their proper uniform. It's grown to include hygiene items, school supplies, coats and prom gowns. There's the drawer of snacks in her office, not far off from the needle and thread she keeps on her desk in case a student's shirt needs mending. Hayes has them watch as she makes the repairs, so they'll learn how to, too. 

"I am that parent at the school that they can’t get to at home," she said. "If they say they need deodorant, I’m going to be that parent to get them deodorant. If they say I missed breakfast, I have snacks for them. I’m not responsible for what the parent doesn’t do, but when they get here, I want that student to succeed."

She's called on community members — from politicians, churches and alumni — to fund capital improvement projects, support extracurricular costs for students and to donate equipment toward the newly formed golf team. She created an association at the school geared toward engaging grandparents to come volunteer. 

Hayes is involved in so many different areas though, from her regular projects to assisting in unexpected disasters, she often forgets to list monumental moments that changed others' lives. 

"Whatever it is, you go to Cubie, and she'll say 'one moment.' She'll make some calls, and then she'll get it," Assistant Principal Cynthia Tucker said. 

There was the first year teacher who mentioned struggling to afford food while waiting to receive her first check, so Hayes made sure she was fed. 

There was the cafeteria worker who called Hayes in the middle of the night after losing her belongings in a house fire. When asked about it, Hayes smiled. She'd forgotten how she helped but was proud to share she had found the woman and her children a new apartment and had it fully furnished within a week's time. 

"She's like an octopus — she has tentacles everywhere," Tucker laughed. 

Outside of Lanier, Hayes can be seen all over Facebook and all over town, supporting the projects and efforts of nonprofits. After handing out the food boxes to families at the school one July afternoon, she headed to the Mercy House in west Montgomery to assist in their food and mask giveaway. 

"She inspires others to help and get in the mix," Mary Boone, who was helping with the giveaways that day, said. "She got all of us to volunteer — that's what she does." 

Boone recalled how, after asking numerous people throughout the community, it was Hayes who helped her organize a celebration for the Rev. Richard Boone, her late husband who was a civil rights advocate. 

"She's just a wonderful coordinator. She does a $1 million worth of work for a hug and a smile," Boone said. 

"She shows that the beloved community is not just listening to complaints. It is also connecting citizens, community leaders and organizations to provide answers," Boone posted on social media. 

When asked what keeps Hayes motivated, her pastor, Courtney Meadows at Hutchinson Missionary Baptist, pointed to the great commission. 

"It opens with one word: Go," Meadows said, with Hayes often described as a go-getter. 

"It is her faith, the firm foundation of her faith, that drives her to really be a vessel of God. She is the hands and feet of God literally in our community," he said. "If we all served as Miss Cubie serves ... this world would be a better place."

More:Community schools: How the concept started and failed in Montgomery

Community Heroes Montgomery

The 12-month Community Heroes Montgomery, sponsored by Beasley Allen Law Firm, will profile one person every month this year.

COMMUNITY HEROES PAGE: Click here for all the profiles

Every monthly winner will receive a travel voucher from the Montgomery Regional Airport and American Airlines, a staycation from Wind Creek, dinner at Itta Bena restaurant and a certificate of appreciation from Montgomery's mayor.

At the end of the 12 months, the Heroes will be recognized at a banquet, and a "Hero of 2020" will be honored.

January 2020 Community Hero: Surgeon Brian Gary keeps hometown on cutting edge

February 2020 Community Hero: Chappy's Deli owner David Barranco carves out a life of service

March 2020 Community Hero: Kevin King works to improve his neighbors' lives

April 2020 Community Hero: Patrick Aitken gives homeless a voice and is a person we need in our lives

May 2020 Community Hero: Curtis 'Chap' Browder serves the unfree and unfed

June 2020 Community Hero: At 18, she leads. Grace Jackson seeks truth, change

July 2020 Community Hero: 'He never says no': Dreamland's Bob Parker builds a reputation for giving

The 12 categories the Montgomery Advertiser will focus on: educator, health, business leader, military, youth, law enforcement, fire/EMT, nonprofit/community service, religious leader, senior volunteer, entertainment (arts/music) and athletics (such as a coach).

Do you know a Community Hero?

To nominate someone for Community Heroes Montgomery, email communityheroes@gannett.com. Please specify which category you are nominating for and your contact information.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.