Every volunteer has a different reason for giving their time. While some volunteers have a personal connection to the community they support, others simply wish to give back in service to a cause greater than themselves. For Wendi and Mavrick Socha, service runs in the family.
The mother-son duo started volunteering at Ability360 in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Wendi worked as a special education teacher part time, and she wanted to find somewhere she could support the functional needs of people with disabilities and volunteer her time. She recalled some of her students visiting Ability360 and participating in archery and kayaking. Inspired by the possibilities, Wendi wondered how she could contribute in similar ways by making activities like these accessible for people with disabilities.
“I have always been involved with sports as a youth,” said Wendi. “Being active and being a special education teacher, and finding out about Ability360, it just kind of put the two and two things together.”
Equally as energetic as his Mother, Mavrick has a similar passion for serving the Ability360 community.
“I like coming [to Ability360],” said Mavrick. “I like sports and I wanted to [volunteer].”
These overlapping interests make Wendi and Mavrick a perfect fit for Ability360. From scorekeeping at Ability360’s many sporting events, to assisting on the 360Outdoors trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, the dynamic duo facilitates a multitude of events and experiences with Ability360 consumers.
“I like this place as an organization and a non-profit, so I wanted to keep making memories,” said Mavrick, adding many things make Ability360 “awesome.”
The well-organized litany of unique events and experiences keep the dynamic duo coming back to Ability360.
“As a volunteer, I was able to help people do things that they might not have ever done,” said Wendi, recalling her experience with 360Outdoors. “I just love seeing people succeed in being happy in all parts of their life. This is a great way for us to help out with that.”
Mavrick recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, a significant rite of passage for members of the Jewish faith. He donated a portion of the money from his Bar Mitzvah to Ability360 to help fund programs and services. However, he was reluctant to receive praise for this fact. For Wendi and Mavrick, it rewards them as much as it does Ability360.
Find ways you can give back to the community by volunteering at Ability360.