An Army of Volunteers

The Jersey Shore YMCA Swim Team was host to the 2011 Central Pennsylvania YMCA Swim League Championship Meet this past Sunday at the Williamsport High School. It was a successful meet as several Jersey Shore swimmers broke meet records and gained times to move them onto YMCA Western Districts.

On a larger note, spectators were entertained with some exciting races and good food throughout the day. In addition, several hundred swimmers were able to compete and appear on the starting blocks as if synchronized.

The event could not have happened without the Jersey Shore parents stepping up to plate. Behind most Shore swimmers (sadly, not all felt the need to help with the event) was a parent or two who worked tirelessly throughout the day to make sure the meet went off without a hitch.  The Jersey Shore Swim blog would like to recognize those dedicated volunteers.

Concession Stand
The meet didn’t start until after 9:00 AM but parent volunteers started the day before 7:00 AM. This group was in charge of bringing food and drink from vehicles into the concessions area. They were also required to help set up the tables, fill the drink coolers, and put the products out on tables. This group consisted of:

• Cathy and Fletcher Farr
• Nichole Shadle
• Glenn Griswold
• Andrew Baker
• Kim Schwoyer
• Mike Fleming
• Sue & Mike Thompson

Manning the concession stand during the morning swim was carried out by a whole new set of volunteers. You could tell this group as they darted in and out of the swim meet to watch their kid(s) swim and then turn around and sell breakfast sandwiches (they were pretty darn good) or pierogies. This crew consisted of:

Morning
• Cathy and Fletcher Farr
• Connie Hale
• Marci Griswold
• Donna Sorgen
• Wendi O’Conner
• Andrew Baker
• Kelly Butzler
• Julie Steinbacher (store runner, for items running short)

Afternoon
• Cathy and Fletcher Farr
• Larisa Yakut
• Shirl & Tom Bechtol
• Kelly Butzler
• Sherman Shadle
• Renna’ Engle
• Julie Panczyszyn and Nicole Shadle (until they had to go time, double duty)
• Chris Naugle (when she wasn't relief timer)

Swimmer Crowd Control
Another set of parents had to start organizing the Jersey Shore swimmers as they started to trickle into the lobby area starting at 7:30 AM. Each swimmer was swimming in four events so this group had to help get swimmers hands written on, police the team area and help make sure the younger swimmers get to the seeding area at the right time. This would require maintaining a presence in the gym during the morning session.

• Tammy Lehman
• Lorrie Creveling
• Julie Steinbacher
• Ellen Keegan

Timers and Officials
Although the parent timers and officials didn’t have to dart in and out of the pool area to watch their kid(s) swim, their job required a lot of attention. (Note – there were parent volunteers from other swim teams also assisting in this endeavor but this blog is only recognizing Jersey Shore parents).

Morning Officials
• David Keegan
• Chet Schwoyer
• Kim Schwoyer (Table)
• Jodi Duda (Table)
• Michelle White (Table)

Afternoon Officials
• Chet Schwoyer
• Dan Zeigler
• Dave Keegan
• Jodi Duda (Table)
• Michelle White (Table)

Morning Timers
• Jody Jolin
• Nichole Shadle
• Larisa Yakut
• Mike Fleming
• Julie Panczyszyn
• Kim Poretta

Afternoon Timers
• Nichole Shadle
• Julie Steinbacher
• Julie Wagner
• Julie Panczyszyn
• Chris Naugle- Relief Timer

Program Table
Most parents want to be able to see what events their kids swim but also where they are seeded in the event, hence the need for a program. These were sold at the entrance by the following volunteers:

• Todd & Shelley Moore
• Kelli Markley
• Dawn & Mike Fleming
• Tabi Whitman
• Lynn & John Charnego

Clean-up
Then there was the aftermath. Eventually, the meet ended and everything had to be cleaned up. Since the facility is rented it had to be left clean. Most teams leave as soon as they can, so a nice size crew had to tidy-up, haul out the leftovers, pick up litter, etc…

Afternoon Tear-down (CONCESSIONS)
This group had to help tear down the tables, empty the drink coolers, put the products away, clean up dishes and carry things to the car, etc…
• Cathy & Fletcher Farr
• Schwoyer’s
• Bechtol’s
• Shadle’s

Afternoon Tear-down (LOBBY/STANDS/GYM/POOL DECK)
• Moore’s
• Keegan’s
• Butzler’s
• Schwoyer’s
• Duncan Frazier (Williamsport Swimmer)