June Volunteer of the Month, Paul B.
We are excited to introduce Paul B., our June Volunteer of the Month. Paul volunteers with our Arts & Community Exploration, helping to coach our Special Olympics basketball team for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Staff member Alexa shared:
"Paul has been such a source of energy and joy for our participants. Paul jumped right into our Special Olympics Basketball team and had an immediate camaraderie with the whole team. He is thoughtful and makes himself available at any point. We are especially thankful that Paul has decided to assist us in coaching our Special Olympics Bocce team this upcoming summer, expanding his Special O resume! His enthusiasm, experience, and leadership make him an asset to us. We are so thrilled he has chosen to spend his time with us!"
Read more about Paul's volunteer impact below:
Q: Tell us about yourself and your background.
PB: I have been married to my wife, Julia, for 31 years and have two grown children (Madison and Jack). I have been teaching special education since the fall of 1997. I was born in California and moved to Lakewood, Colorado, when I was in second grade. I have always loved playing sports. I played basketball, baseball, football, and track in high school. I graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1987. I found my love for teaching when I worked at the YMCA in Boulder. There, I had the chance to work and play with children with disabilities. Ever since then, I knew I was going to work with students with disabilities. And I have for the last 33 years.
Q: What volunteer role do you have with JFS, and what roles have you had with JFS?
PB: I am currently volunteering with the ACE program to help with Special Olympic's bocci ball team. I also helped with ACE's basketball team this last winter. Two other JFS programs I have volunteered at were JFS Altius Farms and two summers ago I volunteered for their free books and lunch summer program.
Q: What motivated you to begin volunteering with JFS?
PB: A few years ago, I found myself with a lot of free time during the summer when both my children had left home. So, I searched the internet for places to volunteer, when I found the JFS website. I found many ways to volunteer with JFS. I have been volunteering at JFS off and on for three or more years.
Q: What's your favorite part about volunteering with JFS, and how has being a JFS volunteer impacted your life?
PB: My favorite part about volunteering is seeing the smile on the faces of the people that I have helped. Another favorite part has been meeting the people who work and volunteer for JFS. I have not seen a single frown all the times I have volunteered! JFS has impacted my life by helping remind me why I went into teaching. After 25 years of teaching, you can lose your way in why you teach, but volunteering has reminded me how important it is to help others.
Q: Do you have a memorable story about your JFS volunteer experience to share?
PB: I will never forget when our Special Olympic basketball team won regionals. The pure joy and excitement on the faces of our players was unbelievable!
Q: What would you say to someone considering volunteering with JFS?
PB: Do it! It is an amazing organization with many opportunities and options. You will not regret the decision.
Are you interested in volunteering? Learn more and sign up today.