For younger players
Why I volunteer
One Friday night a month, I'm paired one-to-one with a child at Rays of Light. We play in the gym, mess about on the computer, do arts and crafts — whatever they want to do that evening.
It's a respite program, which means the few hours aren't only for the kids. Their parents get an evening. That was the part I didn't understand when I started.
I also coach the elementary session at Just Play Lax, and I've volunteered with Buddy Up Tennis. Between them it's not a huge amount of time, and none of it was ever about a college application.
Nobody there cares what my stat line looks like.
That's the part worth saying to a younger player. Recruiting makes everything about you — your times, your film, who's watching. Spending a Friday night where none of that matters is a useful correction, and it made the lacrosse part easier to keep in proportion.
A Dallas respite program for children with special needs and their families — where I volunteer one Friday a month. raysoflightdallas.org Volunteer — not a sponsor or partner
If you're thinking about it
- Start with something near you and regular. Once a month you'll keep; once a week you probably won't.
- Coaching younger players in your own sport is the easiest place to begin.
- Do it because you want to, not for an application. It shows either way.
- Most programs need volunteers far more than they need donations.