Snowball in June

Have you ever had a situation that snowballs?  You know, something starts small and then gets progressively worse?  Well, I’m here to tell you that things can also snowball in a positive direction.  This is a story that’s a bit longer than my usual.  But, I promise that it’s uplifting.  And, I’ll tell you what happens at the end:  Over 100 children get a new playground that will build muscles, creativity, confidence and a happy childhood.

Last year, before I knew anything about the YMCA of Greenwich, Tim Wagner, the Facilities Director, applied for and won grants to build a new playground for the Y’s childcare at St. Roch Avenue.  Snowball started.  In January, joining the YMCA and learning about the grants, I assembled a team of teachers (Brendan Garnett, Kristen Havelka & Stacey Koellmer), administrators (Tim Wagner, Katrina Dorsey, Milly Rende & Pam Confalone) and parents (Kathy Chattoraj & James Cahn) to hold an art auction to raise money for the playground build.  It was phenomenal!  We built many friendships and raised well over $3,000, which got us very close to our goal.  Snowball grew.

The playground build day was scheduled for June 11.  We had lots of staff on board, ready to lend a hand for the whole day.  Two parents came forward with tremendous skills in construction.  Nick Monick was in for anything, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a long history with the program.  Tom Beasley brought the full resources of Murphy Brothers Construction, and friends at Natale Builders.  They provided amazing leadership, including two weekends of prep work and four skilled builders on build day.  This included Matt Price, who is also a parent in the program.

Then, during a meeting, preschool parent Charlie Fago mentioned that his employer, Morgan Stanley, has a strong volunteerism program.  Perhaps he could get some volunteers for the build day.  21 professionals gave us a whole day, working tirelessly, including fellow childcare parent, Brenda Sirena.

A couple of weeks before, we were finalizing the food that would be served to our many volunteers.  “Hey, Keri,” we said to one of our infant head teachers, “did you say that your boyfriend, Doug, would be able to cater the lunch?”  Not only did Doug, of Dougie’s Stand By cater; he donated everything!  Days later, the YMCA was holding a volunteer recognition dinner.  One of the honorees was Cesar Ruiz.  “Hey, Cesar,” we asked, “would you like to bring your Lil’ Cesar breakfast truck to our site, so that we don’t have to cook?”  Once again, in addition to his regular volunteerism, he offered to donate all of the breakfast sandwiches.  These meals were awesome, on so many levels.  The snowball is now huge!

Can’t get any better?  Just wait until build day.  YMCA staff is incredible!  Tim Wagner, Milly Rende, Lee Ann Borg, Pam Confalone, Jonathan Mayer, Aiden Dillon, Brendan Garnett, Kristen Havelka, Frank Rota, Leo Camacho, Marco Perez, Mike Jacoby and Dale Lucien were there.  Did they shirk their other responsibilities?  Nope!  They got it all done and made time for this event.  How?  We’ve got great leadership in Ed Phillip, our CEO, who was also there working his butt off!

We had a great parade of special guests, including Selectman Peter Tesei & David Theis, Y Board member Sandy Helmer, It’s Relevant reporter Kwegyirba Croffie & Father Matthew Mauriello.  This really reminded us how much the YMCA impacts the community.  The snowball was now the size of a house.

The playground is complete.  It is beautiful and perfect for the children.  The volunteers celebrate and everyone heads home.  It couldn’t get any better.  But then, it does.  A simple e-mail from the volunteer who was the foreman for the whole build, sent one hour after he spent the day sweating, building, breaking rock and getting showered with rain:

Dave and Tim,

Thank you both for allowing our guys and myself to lend a hand today. I hope the kids enjoy the playground as much as we did building it. If you ever need a hand with anything please do not hesitate to ask. It's great to give back to the people who have given us so much. 

Thanks again,

Matthew Price

Site Supervisor

Murphy Brothers Contracting, Inc.

Be a part of somebody’s positive snowball.  You will changes lives, as these people have!

Thank you.