The Pine Barrens Festival is all about celebrating the families and the towns in the Pine Barrens’ surrounding area.
As part of that celebration, each year awards are given to individuals or groups that have made a meaningful contribution to the Pine Barrens overall and each individual town at the Pine Barrens Festival.
As each festival night spotlights a different town, an individual or group from that town is identified for outstanding volunteer service and presented with the Pine Barrens Festival Service Award. This year in Shamong, Kim Albertson and Marni Mitchell were chosen for the award.
“It was an honor to represent Shamong Township. Shamong is such a wonderful small town community. I hope we can see more volunteers,” Albertson said.
“It was a little embarrassing, but it was fun (to be acknowledged). I like that (the Pine Barrens Festival) does this,” Mitchell said.
Both were honored for their many years of service to the Indian Mills Athletic Association as coach, commissioner, member of the Executive Board, field upkeep and fundraising for the girls’ soccer and softball programs. Albertson also began a field hockey program in Indian Mills, is the softball director for Tabernacle and Indian Mills, is on the board of the United Girls Softball Association and is a foster for One Love Animal Rescue. Mitchell also has been a volunteer for the Athletic Booster Club, for Home and School associations, for the American Cancer Society and for Seneca lacrosse.
Mitchell and Albertson initially started volunteering to help and be with their children. From there, it snowballed into much more.
Albertson said she loves to make a difference when she volunteers, especially for the girls. She wants to create a positive environment for them and help them grow.
“My husband always said, after a tough day at work, coaching the girls softball is therapy. I agree; their enthusiasm and their smiles make my day,” Albertson said. “We strive to lead by example and teach our girls the love and respect of the game, their teammates, coaches, opponents and our parents. Most of all we want them to grow into confident young ladies who learn how to deal with their failures and successes with grace.”
Mitchell feels volunteering is just something people should do. Whether on a big scale or small scale, she believes it helps to make the world a better place. She also loves all of the memories that can be made through volunteering.
Both Albertson and Mitchell had similar memories that stood out to them during their time volunteering. They each had a girl whom they were helping to coach who was working on improving herself. Albertson was helping one girl to catch a fly ball in softball while Mitchell was teaching a girl how to do a spin move in field hockey. Both girls used what they were taught to score a goal and to catch a ball that won a game.
“Our team won, and the look on her face as she realized what she had done, and the way she ran in off of the field and gave me the biggest hug, was just incredible. The joy of that moment for her will never leave me,” Albertson said.
“When she made her goal, she put her hands up in the air. She worked really hard for it and I was so proud. It made me so happy,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell and Albertson feel the Pine Barrens Festival Service Award is a great way to acknowledge volunteers in the community, meet new people and get more people volunteering.
“Sometimes it is hard to get volunteers, and the volunteers we have can get burnt out. If more communities did more things like (the Pine Barrens Festival Service Award), it will get it out in the open and people will volunteer more,” Mitchell said.
“I hope we can see more volunteers — many of us have been around a very long time. Volunteering in your community is a terrific way to meet and work with others in your community. Volunteers are what make our small towns so great, and we need more. I hope others will consider getting involved,” Albertson said.
