Masco Girls and Boys Soccer Teams Make a Lasting Impact Through Community Service

The Masco Girls and Boys Soccer Program dedicated their time to volunteer with youth soccer across the towns of Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton. Each player in the program, which typically includes 50-60 members, volunteers for at least three sessions, contributing over 260 hours of service this season. On Senior Night—the program’s sole night game on campus held on the football field—youth from the community are invited to join in at halftime. This year, over 40 children, ages 3 to 14, participated in this special event.

The program also organizes a “Socktoberfest” initiative, where they hold a co-ed tournament to collect socks for a local shelter. This season, the boys’ and girls’ programs combined collected over 400 pairs of socks. In addition, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Girls’ Soccer Program creates uplifting cards to leave in infusion rooms at a local treatment center, providing encouragement for patients undergoing treatment.

Both the Boys and Girls Soccer Programs were also given the opportunity to volunteer with TOPSoccer, through Andy Fiedler, with four girls and four boys participating. Additionally, one of the girls assists with the NorthShore Rovers, contributing approximately 15-20 volunteer hours over the season.

 

What Inspires them to Volunteer? 

 

Maggie Blosser, sophomore: 

I volunteer in TOPSoccer, and youth soccer on Saturday mornings and have participated in card making for infusion centers and Socktoberfest. I volunteer in TOPSoccer and youth soccer because I love helping little kids be able to play soccer and enjoy the sport and have people to look up to. I also have created lots of relationships with some kids from Masco and other towns that participated in TOPSoccer and that is one of my favorite parts. I also love helping others that are not necessarily soccer related like collecting socks for local shelters and making cards for people who need a little pick me up! 

Lily Blosser, sophomore: 

I did TOPSoccer volunteering this year for the first time and absolutely loved it. I knew some of the kids that were doing so I thought I would help out and it would give me a chance to see them play a sport they love that they might not have had the opportunity to play otherwise. I absolutely love seeing their faces light up when they have a ball at their feet, it is really cool to see. It’s also a huge help to the people who organize it because young kids aren’t always the easiest to manage. I thought it was really cool to give back to the community and create relationships with some people I already knew as well as make some new ones. I also love making cards for infusion centers and donating socks because it makes me feel so good knowing I am helping others who are struggling and can brighten their mood even if it’s just a little!

Riley Bovardi, Senior Captain: 

I volunteer in different community services because it makes me happy seeing the impact that I can make on young children. I am grateful that I am able to get the opportunity to help coach and teach young Masco soccer players who will be just like me in a few years. Volunteering also allows them to see people in the Masco soccer program, and see how great of a program they will be joining in high school. 

Sadie Morris, sophomore: 

Volunteering for TOPSoccer is an incredibly rewarding experience for me because it gives me an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children around my age and younger who are affected by disabilities. I am able to see the difference and impact we make by being there and it lifts my spirits as well as the children involved. By helping them learn to play soccer, I can contribute to their athletic development and give them a person to talk to whenever. This is also beneficial because a lot of the players go to Masco as well so I am able to talk to them in the hallways and help them manage around the school. The program not only brings a sense of community and teamwork but also allows me to develop my own patience, and leadership skills. I loved working with the TOPSoccer organization and I will definitely continue to do so in the spring to continue to better the community and help everyone feel a sense of belonging. 

Volunteering for youth soccer not only helps the coaches out but also adds to the value of community and helps form a bond with us as the players and the younger generation. We are able to set an ideal example for the youth and build up to a greater future. It is so fulfilling because I feel like I am making a difference and I can do whatever I can to support the community. 

Victoria Cerbone, sophomore: 

I volunteer because I enjoy helping out with younger athletes who will one day be like me. It makes me feel happy and better about myself knowing that I can make an impact on younger kids’ lives. When I get the opportunity to volunteer anywhere I quickly sign up and take the opportunity because not only is it helpful to whoever is running the session, but it makes the kids feel happy and it gives them the motivation to keep playing because they look up to us as “real soccer players”. 

Nicole Schneider, Senior Captain: 

Volunteering is something very important to me as it gives me the opportunity to give back to my community. We have a responsibility to help build up future generations so I think it is so beneficial for experienced soccer players like us to teach and coach young players and give them an example to look up to. Making cards during October means a lot to me, having had two aunts who have survived breast cancer. Treatment, whatever type, is difficult and stressful so

brightening a patients day and showing our support and love for them hopefully puts a smile on their face and gives them more hope. Donations towards good causes make a big impact as well, it’s amazing how many trash bags of socks we filled with each person bringing just one package of socks. Volunteering is also about coming together as a group and all working together to make an impact. It makes Masco soccer extra special because we do more than just play, we get involved and help spread what we are all about. 

Amanda Schneider, Senior Captain: 

I volunteer to help and bring joy to others in the community. Specifically for Youth Soccer Saturdays it is amazing to meet young kids and see their growth as people and in their soccer skills. I also really like to know that we are improving other people’s lives when we make cards for infusion centers, support a community fundraiser for Grace, and donate socks. I think it is also great to give back to a community that has supported our team for many years and will eventually be a part of it. 

Teagan Skulley, Senior Captain: 

For the last 3 years, I have been volunteering at the North Shore Rovers program located in Salem. Every Sunday morning in the fall, I get the opportunity to help play soccer with young kids who have various disabilities. For the past 2 years, I have been partnered up with an incredible young girl who made my day everytime I was able to see her. She loved to run around, interact with all the other kids, and most of all, she loved the playground! Each and every time I was able to see her, it felt so rewarding and made me smile to see her having fun and getting out of her comfort zone. Along with being partnered with her, I was able to see the effects of the other several player volunteers and how they were making connections and building friendships with their players. Seeing all these kids so happy and full of energy made me want to come back each week and year after year. Being there, it really feels like I am making a difference in their lives, but I also have realized how much of a difference they made in my life. 

Along with the North Shore Rovers program, I have been able to volunteer at our town’s youth soccer clinics on weekends during the fall. It is amazing to see all of the kids playing around and interacting with each other because I can remember myself there many years ago creating friendships that will last a lifetime. I really enjoy volunteering at many different organizations and I am looking forward to continuing my volunteer work as I head to college next year! 

Sophie Nelson, sophomore: 

I volunteer because I love being able to help contribute to things in the community as well as making it a better place. I love being able to be with kids and helping them play the sport I love too! I love being able to put a smile on kids faces. I enjoy having fun while volunteering and I know that the little kids do too!

Jack Fiedler, Senior Captain: 

Why did you volunteer for Topssoccer? 

I volunteered because I wanted to help out and be involved with kids in my community in this program. I do Masco Buddies, and heard about the program through that and through my Dad. I heard great things about it, and wanted to develop relationships with Masco kids in the program. 

What did you get out of working with this population of children? 

Working with the kids in TopSoccer was super rewarding for me. I developed great relationships with the kids in the program, especially a bunch from Masco. Overall, TopSoccer was something I looked forward to greatly each week, and loved spending time with the kids, as well as my Masco teammates. 

Luke Fielder, sophomore: 

Why did you volunteer for Topssoccer? 

I volunteered for TOPSoccer because I wanted to form a bond with people with disabilities and help them have fun. Doing this with soccer felt like the best way to do this 

What did you get out of working with this population of children? 

What I got out of this was a great friendship with my buddy. I got his parent’s phone number and we are going to set up a hangout soon because we had a good friendship. 

Dave Palmer 

Why did you volunteer for Topssoccer? 

I enjoy soccer and I wanted to share that with kids who may not be able to play in their town league. What did you get out of working with this population of children? 

My buddy was non verbal and I enjoyed hanging out playing soccer and fun games like duck duck goose with him. 

Chester Thompson 

Why did you volunteer for Topssoccer? 

I volunteered for TOP Soccer because I like to make people’s days better, no matter who I am with or what I am doing. 

What did you get out of working with this population of children?

I acquired friendships as well as developing myself. I was able to see what works well and what doesn’t when working with kids, and I was also able to keep in contact with some of the kids, even after the organization closed for the winter.