VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR JANUARY
*The following write-up/picture is the latest edition of our monthly volunteer spotlight of volunteers in the Westfield Rec. Dept. We are blessed in the Rec. Dept. to have had so many wonderful people who have volunteered their time over the years to make our department and programs/events what they are today. We want to say thank you! To nominate someone for volunteer spotlight, please send us a private message on Facebook or call/text Andrew at 753-6842.
Our volunteer spotlight for January is Chris Anderson, better known to many as “CJ.” Chris has been one of our most active and beloved coaches over the last 7 years. He has coached in every youth sports program that the Rec. Dept. has, including youth fall soccer, youth indoor soccer, and youth basketball. Chris also has been a coach in Little League baseball for several years, as well as a Cub Scout master. Few people have been as involved in the community of Westfield as Chris, and he has brought joy to so many and has served as a tremendous role model to countless youths.
With all the many programs that Chris has been involved in, it would be difficult to pick just one favorite. However, Chris said “My favorite program is the indoor soccer league. It is such a fast-paced game for the kids to be constantly moving.” One of the things that makes Chris such a great coach is how he takes pride in the little improvements that his athletes make. He does not care about winning games, but rather creating memorable experiences for youths where they can both have fun and improve in a safe and encouraging manner. He epitomizes what the Rec. Dept. stands for.
The number of hours that Chris spends volunteering in coaching and mentoring our community’s youths is endless. When asked why he spends his time volunteering, he said “I know it sounds cliché, but I volunteer for the kids. It is awesome to be surrounded by kids learning the sports I grew up loving. What an amazing feeling it is to watch a young athlete score their first goal in soccer or make their first shot in basketball. Their eyes light up and you just feel so good for them. Watching the kids, you have coached get better and better every single year (whether they are on your team or an opposing team) is so great as well, and you hope you had a small part in making them successful in the sport. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many great kids and families through the Westfield Rec. programs.” Rest assured, Chris has had a large part in making our community’s youths not only successful in sports, but in life as well!
Past Volunteer Spotlights:
July 2020: Christian Caballero
August 2020: Carol Reynolds
September 2020: Don Parker
October 2020: Luci Petrella
November 2020: John Emmons
December 2020: The Baum Family (Chris, Shannon, Mason, and Logan)