November's Volunteer Spotlight

November's Volunteer Spotlight is on Laura Amstadt

The St. Monica Academy School Board recognizes that so many of the events that are run through our school and our parish are successful because of those who volunteer their time to make them happen.  Each month, the School Board will shine a spotlight on a randomly selected volunteer to share their story and spread the message that volunteering is done by all of us in many ways! 

November's Volunteer Spotlight is on 
Laura Amstadt

Laura Amstadt is an SMA parent and Market Day Chairperson.  She also volunteers as her daughter’s Girl Scout Cookie Mom and at various other events such as Movie Night, Lunch With Santa, the Scholastic Book Fair and Parents Night Out.

We recently reached out to Laura to learn more about her and how she incorporates volunteering into her busy schedule.

VS:  Hi, Laura! Thanks so much for agreeing to be our very first Volunteer Spotlight!  We’re so happy to be able to share your story as you put a lot of time and energy into making St. Monica's such a wonderful place!!!   Can you tell us a little bit about yourself outside of volunteering at St. Monica’s?

Laura:  Sure thing!  My name is Laura Amstadt and my husband and I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years.  We have a daughter, Jessica, who is in 2^nd grade at SMA this year.

VS:  That’s so cool that you’ve been in the neighborhood for so long!  That deep sense of community is definitely a big part of the St. Monica spirit! Which is probably why we have such amazing volunteers!! What is your favorite part about volunteering at St. Monica's? 

Laura:  I am really enjoying being the chairperson for Market Day.  It has been exciting trying to surpass the monthly profits over last year and meeting new St. Monica parents and parish members.  My daughter gets to help out with some of the paperwork and at some of the sales, and I like seeing her have fun with volunteering, feeling like she is making a difference.

VS:  That’s so smart to make volunteering a family affair!  But even so, we know it’s not always easy to incorporate volunteering into our lives. What is the biggest challenge you face when volunteering and how do you over come it? 

Laura:  The problem that most people face is finding the time.  I do what I can, when I can and it has worked out so far.  I cannot do much during normal school hours so I try to make up for it in the evening and on the weekends. 

VS:  What would you say to someone who's on the fence about volunteering? 

Laura:  I was nervous to volunteer when I first came to St. Monica but I just had to jump in.  You should do the same.  It's a great opportunity to meet new people or just socialize with the ones you already know.  Not to mention all the good it does for the school and your children.

VS: Very true, Laura!  That’s great advice.  So tell us, what will you be volunteering at next? 

Laura:  Market Day is a month-to-month program so I will continue to do that this school year.  I will help out at all the other fundraisers I have done in the past if they need me.  I am also the Cookie Mom for our Girl Scout troop; cookie sales are coming up in January so I will be busy with that too!!

VS:  Well you’re certainly going to be busy!  We hope you enjoy your holidays and get some rest over the break!  Thanks so much for sharing your story and your time with us, Laura!

Update on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:36AM by SBTC

11-25-13 rc