Andi DeSanto – HKRS Southwick, MA
How many seasons have you been a Community Coordinator?
12 seasons- only one missed due to covid.
Tell us about yourself! What inspired you to join HKRS?
My family and I are active- we enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, running… When my children were younger, we were seeking out running clubs when a google search popped up that HKRS coordinators were needed. Since I couldn’t find a local program for my kids, why not start one for them to participate in!
What is the biggest success as a Coordinator (or favorite race day moment)?
Honestly, there are two: the joy in watching my children benefit from selfless hours of volunteer work- now that they are too old to run, they are my constant and steadfast support each week (I must mention my husband as my second hand man, too). My 14 y/o daughter, Diana, especially thrives from this experience. Before she aged out, she chose to volunteer instead of run. She is amazing with littles and easily leads large group warm-ups for dashers and elementary children. I’m immensely proud of her.
Second, the friends we have made along the way- whether they are loyal and regular families whose kids became volunteers when they outgrow the program, or non-runners who devote their Sundays because they genuinely value the program and its impact on our community. All the kids whose smiling faces we look forward to seeing each week- from the sweepstake table where we get to adore their outfits for theme week, anticipation on the starting line, and pride when crossing the finish line, we cross paths with these families throughout the year and love the connections we have made. From the onset of my journey with HKRS in 2018, the Van Etten family have been our rocks, and we couldn’t do it without them.
What makes your community special?
Southwick is a small town; one of the things that makes our program special is that we draw in kids from up to ten surrounding communities. Some families drive almost an hour to join us. We are so grateful for the support and love of seeing the returnees. Second, our volunteers. As I mentioned, some are friends. But what makes Southwick so special is the support we receive from the high school. We have a steady flow of athletes from the XC and track teams who help each week. Coach Kevin Pfau deserves a special shout-out for his unwavering support!
What’s some advice you would like to share with fellow Community Coordinators?
Finding volunteers can be challenging. Reach out to local high schools to lend you their athletes to volunteer. Try not to stress and enjoy the moment. The kids’ smiles are the biggest reward.
