Volunteer work

Well - I knew it wouldn't take long before someone starting saying there was something questionable behind my work with the Roxbury Soccer Club - so I've decided to list out for everyone exactly where I spend my time, other than work and at home!

I believe in community service. My mother was given the honor of "Lifetime Member" for her work with the PTAs when I was in High School after being involved with them for almost 20 years. I hope to pass that same desire to volunteer along to my children. I believe in giving back to the community that I live in - and if I benefit from a program, I intend to give something back to it.

So - here are the many organizations I currently donate my time to:

St Therese Church - my biggest time goes to the church, in various areas. After about 7 years teaching religious education for 1st and 2nd graders, I decided to move up to the "big kids" and a little over a year ago started teaching a 2 year confirmation program. I meet with 11 high school Confirmation Candidates twice a month - once for class, once for mass. I also substitute for the religious education for the younger children as often as they need. My children play CYO basketball - so I spend a lot of time there. I have been a team mom for 7 years, and recently took over as the Director's "administrative assistant" and also took over the stocking of the kitchen for the concession stand at games each week as well as tournaments.

Roxbury Soccer Club - I offer any one who coaches one of my children my services as a "team mom". Since my children play travel soccer, I also volunteer on the KickOff Classic tournament committee each year.

Roxbury High School Boys Soccer Booster Club - I was slightly involved when my son was a freshman, last year I joined the Board as the corresponding secretary.

PTAs - I belong to the PTAs at any school my children attend. I used to do a lot of committee work when all three of them were in the same school, ie, I was the chairperson on my son's fourth grade picnic at Jefferson School. As they have broken into three schools that began to get a little overwhelming, which is when I switched over to spending more of my time at the church - where all three are involved. I still help out whenever I can, ie with the 8th grade dance at EMS.

Alzheimers Association - Last year I organized 22 family members to walk in our first Memory Walk to raise money for the Alzheimers Association of NJ. We have decided to make this an annual event.

Soup Kitchens - I have sent in food, cooked, and served at 2 different soup kitchens in the area. Most recently I organized my Confirmation class to run the kitchen one week - they did all of the cooking as well as serving - to gain their community service hours. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have spent with them.

So - as you can see - I spend my time in many different areas in the community, not just the Soccer Club. My connection to the club is no different than my connection to anything else in this community - it is an area where my family is involved, and I choose to be involved with them.