VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR MARCH IS THE DELLOW FAMILY!
*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 so many wonderful people who do and have volunteered their time both now and, in the past, 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 March is the Dellow family (Wade, Wendy, Hunter, and Haleigh). Combined, they have volunteered in the Rec. Dept. for over 10 years! In response to being named this month’s volunteer spotlight, the Dellow family stated: “Thank you for the recognition! It is an honor to be able to live and work in a community such as Westfield. We settled here from out of the area because of the small town feel and what the community had to offer for families. As a young family, one of the first things we did when we moved to Westfield, was sign up for the bus trip for the Attica train ride. This was our first experience with the Rec. Dept. and started our interest to get involved to become a part of this great program in Westfield. Getting involved in the Rec. Dept. was one of the best things our family has done. We watched our children grow up experiencing all it had to offer and now as teenagers, volunteer themselves. Giving back and helping others is a valuable lesson our kids have been able to experience by watching others within the program who have been an example to our kids.”
Wendy has been a youth (and then modified) soccer coach for over 10 years, coaching every age group from 4-year-olds through 8th grade in both the fall (outdoor) and indoor seasons. She has been one of the best soccer coaches we have had and has made many long-lasting relationships with her players. “Being involved in the soccer program that the Rec. Dept. offers has personally been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. Teaching these kids not only the fundamentals of the sport but emphasizing the importance of how to be a good teammate and then watching as they pass the ball and help their teammates score for the first time has been some of my favorite memories! The soccer programs in the Rec. Dept. have really been an integral part in helping with the success of the soccer teams at the Westfield High School.” Wendy has certainly left a legacy in our department, community, and school community.
Wade has worked as part of the Welch Field summer field staff for 7 years and continues to stay on and help with maintenance projects when needed such as putting up shelves in our storage barn last summer. He also has assisted with movies in the park, the Tour of Chautauqua bike ride, the swim program, youth basketball and roller skating. He currently serves on the Rec. Commission. He has always been willing to help wherever is needed and has done more landscaping, pressure washing, leaf blowing, painting, than anyone else we can think of. “Volunteering in the Rec. Dept. has helped me to get to know the kids and their families before becoming their teacher.” Wade was previously a 5th grade teacher at WACS and is currently a special education teacher there. He has been an awesome role model and mentor to so many kids, as well as many young staff members at Welch Field. As anyone who knows him would agree, he has a sense of humor that is second to none and is truly a “piece of work,” in a good way!
Hunter was a winner of our youth Fishing Derby over the years that we do at the Westfield Fish and Game Club. He currently is the senior class representative of our Westfield Rec. Commission serving alongside his dad. Hunter is in his 2nd year of serving on the Commission. He previously has volunteered in our youth basketball, roller skating, movies in the park, and Tour of Chautauqua programs/events, as well as assisting with various maintenance projects. He is very mature and humble for his age, and an extremely hard worker. He is a joy to be around and a great role model for younger kids.
Haleigh has participated in most all our programs, including youth basketball and soccer, swim lessons, and the Welch Field program. She has also worked in the concession stand at Northlake Family Rec. Center for various soccer events and has donated all her stuffed animals for prizes for the summer carnivals. In addition, she volunteers for the Westfield Little League program in the concession stand, as well as announcing the games and this year she will be assisting as an umpire in both the baseball and softball leagues. She has incredible enthusiasm and spirit and is a phenomenal athlete. Like her brother, she is a joy to be around and a great role model for younger kids.
When asked what their favorite program is, the Dellow family listed the Welch Field summer programs as their favorite. “Seeing all the kids in the neighborhood getting together and making friends and being able to be outside and play in a safe environment is a huge positive to us as parents as well as for other parents in the community. Our field program is one of the best attributes the Village has to offer families. Our family has experienced the greatness it has to offer, and it has been a big part to our kids and has become a memorable part of their childhood growing up here in Westfield. We would encourage families and their children to get involved in this wonderful program in the heart of Westfield!” Hunter also enjoyed participating in all the summer program field trips with his favorite being the overnight camping trips at Ottoway Park as he enjoys the outdoors. He will be attending Paul Smiths College in the fall to study fish and wildlife sciences. Haleigh also enjoyed all the competition from capture the flag to kickball games, to the Olympic games that were played.
Certainly, there is no finer example of a family who has embraced the spirit and character of what we stand for in the Westfield Rec. Dept. They came to Westfield as they felt it would a great place to raise a family, and they jumped right in and got involved in ways that were and still are so meaningful. The Rec. Dept. would not be what it is today without them and they have been an absolute blast to get to know and to call friends. We thank them very much for their years of service and we wish them best of luck in their futures!
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)
January 2021: Chris Anderson
February 2021: Roger Miller