Mark Owens, facility superintendent
St. Clair Senior Center
"Having participants thank us for everything we offer them. The genuine joy on the seniors' faces when speaking about the center and all the activities or special events they get to do makes it anything but ordinary. They love coming to their second home."
Ali Jones, facility coordinator
Sports*Com
"We often chase big milestones, missing the beauty of what's in front of us. Lately, I've been reflecting on gratitude, the small everyday moments that make our mission so meaningful. Ordinary days form the true foundation of our purpose. A customer who takes a moment to say thank you. A familiar face who comes back again and again. A kind message after an interaction. A conversation that turns into a genuine connection. These moments remind me how special it is to serve the community, build relationships and be trusted to be a small part of someone's day."
Matthew Miles, lead groundskeeper/landscaper for the Greenway
Central Maintenance
"One morning, I was riding the Gator down the Greenway. It was quiet, with fog over the river, the sun coming up and wildlife out along the trail. I stopped and just took it all in. It was nothing out of the ordinary. We were just headed out to work, but for that minute, it felt pretty special. I thought about how lucky I am this is what I get to see on a normal morning at work."
Monica Donahue, business systems manager
Administration
"I was really dreading moving offices, which can be an ordinary occurrence. I was content where I was; closer to my house. But once we moved, we brought several staff members from different department areas that I really didn’t see that often. As it turns out, this move was great. These 'work' relationships turned into some really good friendships."
Chelsea Toombs, assistant program coordinator
Cultural Arts
"I’m so grateful for any weekend I get to spend at Miracle Field. It's the perfect way to end the week. Many might see a baseball game as ordinary, but Miracle Field games feel like so much more; the joy and excitement of the players is infectious. I’m just thankful to hang out with our awesome players."
Josh Cradle, assistant program coordinator
Athletics
"An ordinary moment I really appreciate is seeing kids participate in our sports each season. Over time, we really get to know each other and build a connection, then through the years, I get to see them grow up and become young adults."
Sarah Beckman, assistant facility coordinator
Adams Tennis Complex
"When I first started working at Adams Tennis Complex, I knew very little about tennis. I was fortunate to take lessons from one of our talented pros, Bob Kresse. Before long, I'd completely fallen in love with the sport. I introduced my adult daughter to tennis, hoping to give her the opportunity to try something new we could both enjoy. What I didn’t realize was how much that seemingly ordinary decision would strengthen our relationship. Because of my own experience, I’m passionate about continuing to promote and advocate for parent-child and family tennis events in our community."