We are surrounded people who dedicate their time and talent to make the lives of others better.

One category of these volunteers, who boost the community, are those who work with children.

When my son was involved in organized activities while he was growing up, many adults provided him with instruction, advice, support and a safe place to enjoy friendships and competition with other children his age.

Derek was an active youngster for a couple of different reasons. First, he wanted to do what his friends at school did. Second, let’s just say that my family is genetically predisposed to be “large.” The more physical activity we get, the better, so I encouraged Derek to be in every athletic program in which he had interest.

I enrolled him in gymnastics when he was 3. He was one of only a handful of boys in the gymnastics-for-tots program, but I was aware that the more flexible he was, the more coordinated he would become. At age three he started skating as part of our in-house local Mite hockey team. I had always been a hockey player and understood that just learning the ability to skate would provide him a life-long skill.

When he was 4 he was able to start wrestling with our local club. Winters became about both hockey and wrestling. This lasted until he was 6 and the traveling each weekend became overwhelming. He had to choose between hockey and wrestling. We became a wrestling family for the next dozen years.

Other organized sports Derek played were football, baseball, soccer and tennis. Derek also became involved in Cub Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts.

Mentioning all these activities isn’t giving a resume of my son’s childhood activities. I’m trying to count all of the adults who took their own time and volunteered in order to provide organized, quality programs in which he could participate. Literally hundreds of coaches, assistant coaches, league managers, fundraiser, organizers, etc., were a part of helping give a child access to quality, positive programs. These people, no matter how small their role, are among the unsung heroes in our community that make things better for all.

When I see a Girl Scout selling cookies outside of a store, I also see adults right there to supervise and keep them safe. Being an adult leader for children’s activities is no small commitment. It’s done because we want our children to have a wholesome childhood. For each adult volunteer, scores of children benefit and many lives are positively impacted.

Because my son was involved, I was involved. I was a hockey coach, football coach, Boy Scout leader, Sunday School and Vacation Bible Camp teacher, etc. There were times when I coached or taught children who were not in the same group as my son, in order to help the program. The saying “It’s hard to coach your own child” is true, and the best thing you can do when you’re involved in coaching your own child is to show them you love them and believe in them.

The greatest benefactor of my involvement in these activities wasn’t the children, fellow volunteers or the organizations for which I provided assistance. The true benefactor was me.

I knew the children who were the same age as my child. I participated in activities that made me feel young again. When I looked around me, I saw other adults doing more than I was. It’s this kind of volunteerism among people in a community that helps make the world go around. The positivity and lessons learned among the young participants of the programs echo into future generations.

We are surrounded by those who give of their time to make lives and communities better. This commitment to youth in the community — whether it be through 4-H, athletics, Scouting, clubs, etc. — is significant and deserves our appreciation.

— Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.