I volunteer because my heart and soul belong to the youth of our community. I lived in the Mystic Projects most of my life with many low income families, many children back then had no guidance and no one who cared about us project kids. I was the oldest of six boys and had to find something to keep them on a straight path. At 12 years old I started to help run sports leagues in our projects, this was a way to show all our kids, we cared, throughout the years we built these leagues to be the biggest throughout the city. The youth of the Mystic Projects finally held their heads high and had something to be proud of.
After high school, I served overseas in the Army and still kept myself involved in military sports and the leagues back home. When I was discharged from the Army, I returned back home to Somerville and my first priority was to work with the families of the Mystics and children throughout our city that needed something to do, something to get them off of the streets and into the parks. Since then I have served our community as a baseball and football coach and a member of the Providers Group in the projects. I have been involved in Somerville Pop Warner for 30 years and have always made sure every child could participate - no child ever left out. I believe that every child has the right to have that experience of learning the greatest sport but also getting an education and most important learning about loyalty, teamwork, pride, being leaders and also being part of a community that loves them.
It's simple. Why do I volunteer? I love every child and they all deserve the chance to move forward and have a better life. If we can succeed in our mission then we have something to be proud of. I will always find a way for every child to feel they are wanted, loved and most important, know they have someone they can count on. I will continue volunteering until the day I can't anymore.