A Message from Messina: A Look at Community Volunteers--Always Vital, Needed Now More than Ever

HIGH SPRINGS/ALACHUA – My profession over the years has allowed me to interact with some incredible individuals, many whom I now consider friends and family. Whether putting on an event, conducting tournaments, scheduling games and practices, composing rosters, prepping fields, coordinating with different organizations or partnering with various vendors, it requires an abundance of communication with our local participants, coaches, volunteers, officials, merchants and staff.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people from all walks of life and established relationships with several of them. I call them movers and shakers in their own right.

Due to the unfortunate situation we are currently facing in COVID–19, the phone calls and emails continue to stay active, but the discussions are now based on hypotheticals and scenarios. Many consist of trying to figure out the unknown that awaits us—what can we do immediately afterward and talking about creative ways they are keeping themselves and their kids active.

I can understand how this may bother some people. However, I find it gratifying and wouldn’t want it any other way. These are the incredible individuals who, for seasons, months and years, produce hours upon hours of service throughout our communities. They are the coaches taking precious time out of their busy schedules to teach our children how to dribble a soccer ball, serve a volleyball and hit the baseball/softball.

These are the parents who sacrifice their time from watching their own child’s game to work concessions for the benefit of their organization. These are the umpires and referees who get paid very little and truly enjoy seeing kids participate in a game they deeply love. These are local business owners who generously donate money from their own blood, sweat, and tears for individual scholarships and team sponsorships.

It’s because of them I get a front row seat and witness the positive impact they make in our communities.

Instead of posting what others are doing during isolation throughout the country to stay active during these unusual times, we should look within.

Perhaps reach out and ask these individuals for their advice. They are the ones who continue to put themselves out there, right? They have a pulse on the community and typically generate fresh ideas. They are the heartbeats involved in our local service organizations. These are the people who not only think of creative ways on the ball fields, volleyball courts and ball diamonds, they are the ones doing the same at home with their families.

Give them a call and ask. I promise they are willing to sacrifice their time for the betterment of others. They have been doing it way before the current situation. I assure you they all share the same passion for their communities.

These are not only the movers and shakers; they are also our very own leaders and mentors. This time shall pass, and when it does, these are the ones who will make the moves, shake things up and discover inventive ways to bring back some normality into our lives. Until then, we can look to them to help us through this.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com