In 2012, 64.5 million Americans – 26.5 percent of the population – contributed 7.9 billion volunteer hours, worth an estimated $175 billion in service.
I started volunteering when I was in high school, calling out bingo at a retirement home. I have always had a voice to communicate to a large group of people at one time and this definitely fits in with my skill set. I did other volunteer work with my church, friends church, and assisted coached a baseball team. When I got into college I enjoyed working with kids and sport the most. I found a local high school baseball team and volunteered with them for two seasons. The kids that I worked with appreciated the knowledge and experience I brought and I enjoyed the opportunity to be doing something that I loved. As a college senior there were definitely times that I didn’t want to be at morning practice but each time I arrived the appreciation on the faces of the players was worth the early morning struggle.
Volunteering has allowed me to learn how to better communicate, by finding multiple methods for describing a situation and to be humble. Now having kids of my own I hope that I pass along the joy of helping others to them and they pay it forward. I also have seen the impact of a volunteer at work. The First Tee of Pittsburgh would not be the organization it is today without dedicated volunteers who support the program as assistant coaches, administratively, on our board, or part of special event committees. Coach Jim has been volunteering with TFTP for about 10 years and he has worked with kids of all ages, sizes, and ability levels. I asked him why he continues to volunteer, “Kids are our future and golf is a game that they can play today and tomorrow that allows them to learn about themselves and others.” “I learn something from them every time I come out to help.”
Please join TFTP as a volunteer and positively impact kids in Western PA.
What You Need To Know About Volunteering with The First Tee of Pittsburgh
The First Tee of Pittsburgh (commonly referred to as TFTP ) is a non-profit youth development program that delivers life skills and character education to young people ages 5-18 through the game of golf. Participants join us for lessons in putting, chipping, pitching, full swing and on course play while they also learn healthy habits, goal setting, Respect, Courtesy, Confidence and more.
Requirements:
- Complete online application
- Background check
- Have a positive attitude (application and background check details can be found via the link below)
Opportunities to get involved: The First Tee gladly accepts volunteers with all different talents. There are opportunities in equipment management, logistics, greeting, information technology, special events assistance, and our most popular assistant coaching, either in clinics or in our league
Time Commitment:
- Assistant coaching: 2 hours per week for 7 weeks
- Administrative/events/other: 1 hour per week
Where We’re Located: The Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Schenley Park, Pleasant Ridge in Stowe Township, 3 Lakes Golf Course in Penn Hills, Victory Hills Golf Course in Elizabeth, Black Hawk Golf Course in Beaver Falls, North and South Park Golf Courses.
Upcoming Trainings:
- Wednesday, April, 17 from 6 to 8 pm
- Saturday, April 20 from 10 to 12 pm
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Please CLICK HERE to fill out a Volunteer Application
Contact Eric Kulinna at 412-622-0108 or [email protected]
Submitted by: Coach Eric Amato,
Vice President and COO
