Volunteers are the backbone of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Without our volunteers, we’d never be able to provide competition, leadership, health and so many other opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.
Congratulations to Lisa Rigefsky, Bucks County, for being named our Volunteer of the Month (Assistant Coach) for September 2023!
Lisa started as a Unified partner with her son, William, before transitioning to be an Assistant Coach. We had the chance to chat with Lisa about her time with Special Olympics, her passion for coaching and the family that is Bucks County’s Long-Distance Running/Walking team. Congratulations, Lisa, on this well-deserved award!
My son joined about 12 years ago. At first he did bocce and I kind of just stood in the background and watched everything go down. Then we joined track and [long-distance running] and I got to meet [head coach] Tom [Delaney]. And as my son started running more, I became his Unified partner. So I just made sure he stayed on the course and didn’t get lost. You know, typical helicopter mom. But then, as I let go of the reins of that, my sole purpose was to make Tom’s life easier. I would do whatever I could to help him [run the team].
Over time, especially during COVID, I realized how important socialization was for the athletes, so we started a game night. We had Zoom calls all the time because we couldn’t be in person. We did game nights every Wednesday and I think that really solidified the family and friends thing that we have going because we’re all super, super close. For whatever I do, there’s 20 other people doing the same thing working just as hard.
Starting as a Unified partner, I could see how the volunteers worked, I could see the athletes. I got to see the inner workings of everything and then I felt comfortable enough to kind of let [my son] go. When I tell you it’s a family, it’s really like a family. Not only with the parents, but with the athletes. They all know that they can come to me if things are going on that they need to talk about. It’s not just on the course that I’m with them, it’s all the time. So just having that relationship of trust and connection. I mean, it’s amazing. I’ve met some amazing friends here.
My favorite experience is hands down always Villanova. Just walking in to Opening Ceremonies and having everyone cheer for us. I get goosebumps every year. All the athletes look forward to it and it’s our absolute favorite thing.I just love my athletes. Whatever I can do to make their day better because they make my day better. It’s the highlight of my week, honest to god, there’s just nothing better. I love them.
I would just highly encourage everyone to try it. Because you hear about it all the time, you know? Like my whole life I heard about Special Olympics. But you don’t really know it until you’re in it and then you see the good that it does, not only for the athletes but the coaches, the volunteers. It’s honestly changed my life. Changed my life. I just don’t know what I would do without this place.
Check out all the amazing things everyone had to say while nominating our latest Volunteer of the Month:
Tom Delaney
“Lisa goes above and beyond for each and every practice. She’s completely dedicated and committed to Team Bucks’ She’s truly an incredible parent and coach. We are so lucky to have her on are team.”
Joan Ridler
“Lisa is at every practice setting up coolers tables 30 stop watches numerous clipboards every week for ldr and track 50 weeks a year 2 times a week. She cheers on the athletes and helps the caregivers and parents. She spends countless hours working on posting scores and times. She handles all the paperwork and every one is up to speed on current programs and needs because she emails and posts to social media photos and important information. Our program would be lacking with out her.”
Dorothy Grow
“I am proud to nominate Lisa Rigefsky for volunteer of the month. She is the first to step up to assist all of our athletes. She is encouraging, patient,and ALWAYS has a smile and a kind word for our team. She’s our ‘go-to’ person to organize and make sure competitions and practices run smoothly. She’s at practice when when we arrive, and always one of the last to leave (probably second only to Tom Delaney). She’s generous with her time and commitment to Special Olympics, and so deserving of this honor.”
Sharon DeNucci
“Lisa is always so upbeat, enthusiastic and encouraging to all of the athletes.”
Allison Bressler
“Lisa’s dedication is constant and unwavering. She is such an asset to the program and has amazing relationships with all of the athletes, parents, fellow coaches and volunteers. We all strive to be just a little more like her as she represents all the very best Special Olympics has to offer the world.”
Devak Gandhi
“Ms. Lisa is also very helpful and always on the spot coaching. She responds promptly without any hesitation. She keeps us on track with everything.”
Jen Bell
“Lisa always goes above and beyond for all of our athletes as well as the volunteers.”
Barbara Kotkiewicz
“She is a coach, mentor, liaison. She is a mother of a special needs athlete. She developed a Facebook page which is updated daily with info about events for special Olympics. During the pandemic she hosted weekly zoom bingo so athletes could keep in touch with one another . She makes sure she involves everyone.”
