National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to come together to build better communities.
Playworks engages hundreds of volunteers across New England every year. Our volunteers serve as role models at recess, as mentors to our Junior Coaches, they paint playgrounds, and they collect equipment and supplies for our partner schools. We are grateful for the contributions of every single volunteer who serves with us. Safe and healthy play would not be possible or sustainable without support from the communities we serve.
For National Volunteer Week, Playworks New England recognizes three volunteers for their consistent and generous support of our work in New England elementary schools.
Kanda Alagappan
Kanda has been a Playworks volunteer since 2014. Kanda is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Carbonite. He first volunteered with Playworks when he visited our New England office to advise our staff on recruitment strategies. Since then, Kanda has volunteered at recess along with other Carbonite employees, and he has joined our Advisory Board.
What have you found most inspiring during your volunteer work with Playworks?
“First, the coaches. They stand out hands down. The Playworks Coach I first worked with was passionate, energetic, fun, and he had the full attention of the kids no matter how old they were.
Second, the strategy of conflict resolution using Rock, Paper, Scissors. I like the simple way to solve problems. I wish we could use this in the corporate world.
Third, when kids were going back into the classroom they were happy and it was clear they had a good time during recess.”
Ursula Munger
Ursula has been a Playworks volunteer since 2015. Ursula is on the Capital Markets team at Fidelity Investments. She first got involved with Playworks as a Corporate Coach, mentoring Junior Coaches from our local partner schools. Since then, Ursula has joined our young professionals Leadership Council.
What motivates you to volunteer?
“Volunteering at Playworks can change the lives of the kids who are in the program and I feel honored that I can be a part of that process. I also think it is very important to give back to the community you live in and I know that when I volunteer at Playworks, I am making a real difference.”
Kim Carrington
Kim has been a Playworks volunteer since 2013. Kim is a Talent Ambassador at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Kim serves as a positive role model to our students volunteering at recess and as a Corporate Coach.
What have you found most inspiring during your volunteer work with Playworks?
“I love the interaction with the kids at recess and learning new games and dances. As a Corporate Coach with Blue Cross Blue Shield, we teach Junior Coaches skills through games. This year we are teaching them how to be leaders”
