To Volunteer or Not to Volunteer

Well, that is the question. In the day of both parents working outside the home or multiple kids involved in multiple activities-how can anyone find the time to volunteer?

On the flip side, how can you not be involved with your child's activities? How many times do you hear empty nesters say, "You'll miss these days-a simple trip to the grocery store or the department store will be the highlight of your day." Planning dinner for 125 stinky, hungry boys is a lot more fun than take out for two.

One way to get involved is with your child's sport group. For example, we four friends decided to volunteer for the Mama Rocks, an organization of Trinity Football parents (established in the 1970s), who help organize activities to promote team camaraderie among both players and parents. You always hear the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The Mama Rocks help organize weekly dinners for the Varsity team throughout the football season. All parents are invited to help serve at the dinners or to make desserts. The Mama Rocks sell football apparel and football buttons to help finance these dinners. If the team travels out of town for a game, we make sure the players are fed.

Getting involved not only allows parents to get to know one another, it also helps parents put a face to the jersey number. Every week when the boys come through the line, they always say, "thank you." The players gather around the table and enjoy a dinner and homemade desserts. The parents mingle with the boys, discussing impressive plays from the week before or the upcoming game. Parents get to know one another away from the football field. Coaches, managers and trainers attend as well. It's a great way to get involved.

However you decide to do it, take some time with your kids and their teams. That way, when your nest is empty, at least you'll have some great memories—and maybe some great friends to share them.

Maria Carrico, a Reading First State Coach, is married to Patrick Carrico and has three children, Sean, Abbie and Connor. Donna Fultz is a nurse for Humana. She and her husband Jeff have two children, Curtis and Melanie. Lynn Stewart Higgins and her husband Mike have four children, Matthew, Marissa, Nolan and Stewart. She is a part time sales rep for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Darla Noe Radcliff is married to Doug and has three children, Philip, Scott and Sydney. Darla is a 4th grade teacher at Ascension grade school where she also volunteers as assistant athletic director.