This April, we’re celebrating National Volunteer Month and highlighting some of our employees who also are making an impact in our community.
Sara is the mom of four boys and when they were small, it was hard to find time to exercise so she started swimming at the Y. “It was perfect for me because I would swim and shower and be home before they were up and running,” she said.
In 2008, she was approached by a Y staff member who asked if she would be interested in teaching swimming and Sara said “yes.” Her first official classes were Parent/Child and Preschool swim lessons. From there, she went on to teach adult beginners, pre-swim team, and classes for individuals with special needs. Currently, she is teaching Preschool classes, Water Discovery, Stroke Development and Stroke Mechanics. Teaching swimming also opened the door for her to be an assistant FSPY Swim Team coach for the 8/unders and the Head Coach at Highland Swim Club for three summers. One of her favorite parts of the job is watching the progression of members learning to swim.
Plus, she said: “I love walking into the Y and pretty much know everyone on my way to the locker room. I also like that the Y is home to people of all ages with a myriad of different backgrounds. It’s fun to get to know people and their story.”
Working at the Y has also given Sara the opportunity to be on the Y’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. The goal of the committee is to support equity at the Y and to ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging.
In addition her work at the Y, Sara volunteers out in the community in several capacities. She is on the Board of the NJ Masters Swimmers, a part of Masters Swimming, a national membership-operated nonprofit that provides membership benefits to Masters (adult) swimmers across the country. Sara is also the Editor/Designer of the Fastlane Newsletter as well as a Masters Certified Coach and Adult Learn-to-Swim Certified.
In addition, she is on the Board of the Fanwood Community Foundation, which raises money through donor donations and gives back to the community by the way of grants and donations. This past year, the foundation gave grants to organizations like Jam Cancer in the Kan Foundation and Wolves Basketball Academy, raised money for the NJ Food Bank, and donated directly to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Food Pantry.
Sara also volunteers with the Fanwood- Scotch Plains Service League, an organization that raises money through the Scotch Plains Thrift store on East Second Street. The proceeds go back to the community through grants and scholarships. Sara volunteers in the store and is on the scholarship selection committee.
“Volunteering is a great way to connect and have a positive influence on our community,” she said. “The benefits to the community can’t be measured but it’s a good feeling knowing you are helping to leave a lasting impact. No experience necessary, anyone can volunteer!”