Volunteer - It Will Change your Life
June 15, 2008
Another regular season of baseball is wrapping up in the Tri-Valley. My son played his last game on Monday for a league in San Ramon and just had his end-of-season party.
Watching and participating with all of the dads and moms volunteering on and off the field filled me with gratitude towards these dedicated parents. Being a head coach, an assistant coach, a team mom, working at the “snack shack,” keeping score, working at picture day, etc. - all of these roles take a lot of time and devotion. Without these parents volunteering their time throughout the season, the baseball experience would not be the same for any of our children.
Some may say it is simply a duty to volunteer. And in some ways, it is if you have children. But if you’ve ever been a head coach or an assistant coach (and I’ve been both in different sports), or a team mom or worked for the league, you know it takes so many hours throughout the season. Not only are you working with your child, but 8-15 others! It is not always a cinch to be organized and energized while getting that many kids to listen, work on their drills, be excited about improving their play, pay attention during practice and their games - and do it all safely while having fun!
So, I am writing this post to express my gratitude and appreciation to all of the parent volunteers out there. And this doesn’t just have to do with sports.
I watch the countless hours of parent volunteerism at my son’s school and am amazed. I volunteer my time certainly, but there are people who are there day after day, week after week giving their time and patience to the kids. If they can’t come to the school during school hours, I know parents who volunteer after school at home during their own time, cutting, prepping, organizing teacher gifts, and/or purchasing supplies at night. Without these parents, our kids’ school would be a much different place, too.
It is with gratitude and respect for parent volunteers that I write to thank you at the end of this baseball season and school year. I know my own son’s experience and that of his team and classmates is enriched for your time spent in dedication. Thank you.
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