VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR OCTOBER
*APOLOGIES AS WE’RE BEHIND IN RELEASING OUR VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS!
*The following write-up/picture is the latest edition of our monthly volunteer spotlight of volunteers in the 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 October is Luci Petrella. Luci has volunteered in the Rec. Dept. for 10 years. Over that time, she has helped with roller skating, as well as the Welch Field Carnival and in the concession stand at Northlake Family Recreation Center. Luci serves as the “gateway” to roller skating, as kids sign in and pay their dollar at Luci’s table. She has been so faithful over the years in her service and always does a great job!
When asked what her favorite part of roller skating is, Luci said: “I enjoy visiting with the kids and parents as well as the other volunteers. It is a great place for kids to have a good time with friends and learn to socialize safely. Its fun to watch the kids improve in their ability to skate as well as grow up. The Rec. Department offers a great program and gives a place for kids to go on a Friday night.” Our roller skating staff has grown to be more like a family over the years as we have been blessed to have some of the same volunteers come back year after year. Yes, roller skating exists on the surface to skate, but it is even more about the relationships that are made, and no one exemplifies that better than Luci.
Not too many people are standing in line to give up their Friday nights, yet Luci routinely does. In her words: “I like being part of the community. I like being part of skating because it gives kids the opportunity to learn to skate, spend time with kids out of the classroom setting. Kids meet kids from other schools and build friendships. I have been told they like having me at skating because I am not their teacher or parents. They can just be themselves. It’s also fun having the kids see me outside skating and call me the lady that takes the money at skating.” However, Luci is so much more than that. She is an integral part of skating and our department. We would like to thank Luci for her years of service and dedication to our programs and we cannot wait to see Luci behind her table when skating resumes!
Past Volunteer Spotlights:
July 2020: Christian Caballero
August 2020: Carol Reynolds
September 2020: Don Parker