Grandkids: Get involved in Community Organizations!

Grandson Declan asks: “You have demonstrated the importance of becoming an active, valuable member of your community. What goes into becoming that?”

Dear Decky:

At the present time, you and your cousins are still in the early stages of your lives. Seven have recently graduated from college, four are presently in college, and three are in grade school. Becoming active in your respective communities is not your highest priority at this time. But it should be at some point in your future.

Just think about some of the volunteers who made your young lives more enjoyable and wholesome while you were younger. In particular, they might have been coaches, local theater activists, or unpaid park district helpers. In my case, it was a woman, the only person in my town who would coach our 13-14 baseball team. Mary Bennett will always be remembered as one who gave us boys a chance to play organized games.

It wasn’t until our kids were a little older that I had the chance to get involved in civic and community activities. Son Tom didn’t wait that long. At age 16, he was coaching 8-9-year-old boys’ baseball in Wilmington. 

My first opportunity came when I was elected as a commissioner in the Wilmington Park District. Why did I do that, you asked? Number one, it represented a chance to help our community become a healthier place to live. Number two, our own family could benefit from the types of activities that might be developed. 

I found that my fellow commissioners were always looking to provide the best services for the citizens of Wilmington. They were dedicated to the idea of exploring ways to assess the perceived and hidden needs that lay before us. Although our methodology was informal to a large degree, we established a plan, marshalled our minimal financial resources, and got to work.

Within three years, we put in lights for the baseball field, placed basketball hoops on some playgrounds, and blacktopped tennis courts. Other programs included a men’s basketball league involving area towns, and initiated an Olympic day and a gymnastic camp for grade school kids.

Beside the park district, the Wilmington Baseball organization adopted Pony Baseball for youngsters between age 6 – 16. Along with baseball aficionados from Coal City and Braidwood, we introduced a “Coal Valley” conference for Pony (13-14) and Colt (15-16) league kids. The enthusiasm that was generated within the area communities fueled sportsmanship, healthy competition, and camaraderie among everyone.

For someone who worked at two colleges in the greater Joliet area, it was also important for me to actively participate in other local organizations. The Kiwanis Club, the Joliet Area Chamber of Commerce, the International Wrestling tournament, and Bicentennial Park theater became other ways that I could become involved in a larger community.

My current activity is working with the “dual language” or bilingual educational venture in Florida and Texas. As a multi-year Board member with Ana G Mendez University Ventures (Puerto Rico), my task is to help support, maintain, and grow the Spanish/English programs that primarily serve Hispanic adult learners in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Dallas. I hope to stay involved in this work as long as I can.

The question is, “How can I contribute to the well-being of my community?” None of these activities helped me make any money, but that wasn’t the point. If we are on earth to make a difference, there are many avenues to use our talents to help people. 

You are among the most fortunate young people on earth. You have had more advantages and privileges than most people in your age bracket. Consider: two loving and supportive parents, access to college education, and basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, etc.) covered. Using a baseball analogy, you were born on first base while other kids in the world are either still at bat or in the dugout. Even more young people haven’t been able to be on a team.

“For those who have more, more is expected.” Make a difference locally.

Thanks, Declan, for your question. Sincerely,

Grandpa K