Editorial: True MVPs- Many Volunteering Parents

While the acronym MVP usually stands for “Most Valuable Player”, I believe a more appropriate usage of those letters should be “Many Volunteering Parents.”

Parents (or guardians) are consistent in keeping our youth involved with many activities in Charles City and New Kent County. I can remember my mother taking me to youth baseball practice and at the games, she was the scorebook keeper. There are times where it rained during a game and she had to deal with six or seven rumbustious boys piled in a black van. Those moments stand out because my mother did those things in order to keep me active and not because she had to.

The reason this editorial came about is because of witnessing a few basketball games this week. As I covered them, it brought to my attention the many things the parents due to support organizations. There were parents taking tickets and collecting money for the game and you had another plethora of parents rotating around the concession stand to make sure food was cooked and available for patrons. Some of these people even paid to enter the game and when offered to refund them for assisting with their services, they declined it. They simply said they were doing it for the kids.

The thing that got me the most is that they were doing it for the kids, not just their kids. That unselfishness is what brings a community and group together. You can see that with high school organizations, groups such as the girl and boy scouts, and organizations such as New Kent Junior Women’s Club. Parents are there to support kids whether it’s a martial arts competition, a cheerleading competition, or a spelling bee. They become volunteers by providing snacks for competitors, rides home, and so much more. The unselfishness and the bond that is formed among the parents plays a vital role and how influential it can be on a kid’s life.

So, to the parents who do things from making cookies for bake sales to helping create gardens for projects, I want to thank you for your support. It’s because of people like you who open up pathways to show the world that good intentions do exist and that monetary rewards aren’t necessary to make a positive impact to our next generation.