VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR JUNE IS GAVIN EMERY!
*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 June is Gavin Emery! Gavin has volunteered in the Rec. Dept. for 21 years. He has volunteered in various programs including fall soccer, indoor soccer, youth basketball, movies in the park, the Tour of Chautauqua bike ride, roller skating and working on ball fields. Over that time, he has become one of our best coaches in our youth sports’ programs. The passion that he has for working with and mentoring the young athletes he coaches goes above and beyond what is expected of a typical volunteer. There is nothing typical about how Gavin coaches and the relationships that he builds with his players as well as their families.
Gavin’s favorite programs to be involved in have been the youth soccer programs (both fall outdoor and indoor). He never misses a season, and he has often coached multiple teams during each season. He has also volunteered his time to coach different teams when his kids were not even playing on them. Additionally, he has volunteered his time to serve as an official for various games throughout the years. He loves the sport of soccer, and more importantly he loves to teach children how to play the game and improve as individuals and as a team. It is not unusual to see Gavin show up 30 minutes before a game, as well as stay after a game to work with the kids he coaches. If there is a kid who wants to work on their soccer game or simply kick a ball around, he will be there giving them his full attention.
For a person who gives so much to so many people, it is hard for some of us to sometimes understand why a person would be willing to give so much of their free time to helping others. In his own words, Gavin said: “I just love our community and helping out with our children/teenagers not only through the individual sport but with life in general. I truly enjoy seeing kids progress with individual/team skills and it’s just a joy to help them learn something and do my part in our wonderful community to help them grow into great people.” Certainly, Gavin more than does his part and the fact that he focuses on not just the sport, but life as well, shows just how much he cares about the kids he coaches. If you have seen him coach, you know just how much passion he has for coaching and for soccer and working with the kids. It is something that he loves to do, and he puts his whole heart and soul to it. We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices Gavin has made and for all the time that he has put into our kids, the community, and the Rec. Dept. He has served as a tremendous mentor and role model to so many, and we look forward to having him involved in our programs for years to come!
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
March 2021: The Dellow Family (Wade, Wendy, Hunter, and Haleigh)
April 2021: Jim Van Dyke
May 2021: Josh & Amy Belcher