Page 10 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - January '22

Page 10, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Chad Rollins: NAYS Volunteer Coach Of The Year

For more than two Community Commitment touched when he hears from former players who share how
decades Chad Rollins Rollins is well-known throughout the Jupiter community much he has meant to them in their lives.
has been impacting for his strong commitment for helping all the kids on “One kid must have had to do a school project on
young lives as a his teams become not only better players but – more somebody that they admire, and he wrote about me,” Rollins
beloved volunteer importantly – better people. While players are stretching said. “So, I had tears in my eyes. He was like ‘when I was
coach through the at the start of his youth football practices he can be seen 5 Coach Chad helped me do this and helped me do that.’ So
Jupiter-Tequesta weaving all over the field, talking and fist-bumping and that’s what it’s all about right there.”
Athletic Association high-fiving every single young athlete.
(JTAA) in Florida. With Rollins’ engaging personality and kids-first focus,
Big hearted and it’s easy to see why he is a wonderful mentor for new coaches
humble, with an coming into the JTAA program. And a terrific source for
endless supply of energy and enthusiasm for kids, his days longtime coaches as well.
are packed with coaching youth football, junior varsity “I am the coaching liaison here for this program so when
girls basketball and track and field. Plus, this dad of three first-year coaches come to our program I try to tell those
somehow finds time to volunteer to coach young athletes in coaches to make sure it’s all about the kids, because if it’s
the Special Olympics, too. not all about the kids then you’re in the wrong profession,”
It’s all these qualities – and many more – that earned Rollins says. “You have to do it from the heart.”
Rollins the prestigious Volunteer Coach of the Year award, That’s exactly how Rollins has been coaching kids and
annually presented by the National Alliance for Youth changing lives season after season. And he’s genuinely
Sports (NAYS).
“Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and seeing them
Rollins was selected among hundreds of nominations Compassion and gratitude enable
having fun, that’s what it’s all about,” Rollins said.
submitted from recreation agencies nationwide and U.S.
nominee upholds the NAYS Code of Ethics for Coaches, Random Acts of Kindness Program
military bases worldwide. Judging is based on how the

which includes placing the emotional and physical well-
each player as an individual and understanding the range of at La Posada
being of players ahead of a personal desire to win; treating
emotional and physical development for the same age group;
and doing his/her best to provide a safe playing situation for The holiday season is funds for the local Alzheimer’s Foundations to raise
all players; among many other key areas. one of togetherness and awareness of the disease.
Focusing On Fun thankfulness, allowing Such actions show the heart of the community
“With the Jupiter Mustangs, we’re focusing on learning friends and family to unite but only scratch the surface of how the residents and
the game and also having fun playing the game,” Rollins and reflect on the blessings associates at La Posada share their blessings with the
says. “Once you have a kid who’s having fun at a young of the previous year. During greater Palm Beach Gardens community. Many of the
age they will grow up and love sports so that’s my biggest this time, many are focused community’s residents and associates are members
accomplishment is making sure the kids love the sport and on how they can give back of various boards, as well as volunteers within their
also learn the sport that we are teaching them.” and show kindness to the personal churches, synagogues and other organizations.
One of Rollins’ biggest attributes is his unwavering greater community around “Perhaps I’m biased, but I truly believe that La Posada has
focus on having fun. When he steps on a field, court, or them. This mindset of giving some of the most compassionate and generous individuals
track, he always brings a big smile and genuine passion is one that La Posada, a Kisco who live and work here,” said Brad Cadiere, Executive
– and his young athletes latch onto his energy and are senior living community in One of the most important Director of La Posada. “At La Posada, we believe in the
excited to compete. Palm Beach Gardens, works elements of what makes importance of supporting one another and that level of
“When I start at the beginning of the year I don’t care how to enact throughout the year La Posada special is the compassion is something that comes directly from our
old they are, I like to have fun coaching them,” he says. “I — not just at the holidays. senior living community’s people. Having the opportunity to show kindness to those
think if kids see their coaches having fun they will follow One of the most commitment to serving others. within our walls and with our neighbors outside these walls
in their footsteps, and they’ll do the same and have fun.” important elements of what is something unique that has enabled us to learn more about
Parents love having their young athletes learn from makes La Posada special is the senior living community’s one another and appreciate the connectivity we all share.”
Rollins, too. And while he works with youth – encouraging, commitment to serving others. Throughout the year, residents As the community looks toward the beginning of a new
motivating, and inspiring them – he never seeks out attention and associates at the community have participated in a year, plans are already underway to work together to continue
for his efforts. He’s all about the kids – all the time. variety of “acts of kindness” to serve one another within the supporting our neighbors and one another. This commitment
Rollins was nominated for the award by Brad Caldwell, community, as well as La Posada’s surrounding neighbors. to community is something that defines La Posada’s enriched
president of Jupiter Mustangs Tackle Football and Cheer. The random acts have enabled the senior living community lifestyle and one-of-a-kind total well-being programming.
“Chad coaches my son in two different sports, and I’ve the ability to engage with nearby neighbors, as well as “At La Posada, we encourage our residents to pursue
coached football with him for a couple years,” Caldwell show gratitude to those who come into the community for their passions. Their kind hearts and grateful attitudes
said. “For the basketball league there’s eight to 10 kids short stretches. At La Posada, thankfulness is a mindset that inspire all of us to take time to think of others and reach
and he runs around a couple different towns to pick them has long been ingrained at the community and has been out with helping hands,” said Cadiere. “Our hope is that
up. Most of them have broken homes, and he always puts reemphasized repeatedly over the past few years. through our random acts of kindness program, we will be
these kids first. One day, Chad asked if I could step in and “From the very beginning, our community has been able to share a bit of the holiday spirit all year long. We
coach basketball because he was going to be about 15 focused on caring for, and supporting, one another,” said have the opportunity to make a difference and to create a
minutes late. I was curious why he was going to be late Paulina Jacobs, Assistant Executive Director of La Posada. community that is welcoming and cares for everyone.”
because he’s never late – and it was because he was with “All of us have learned how important it
the Special Olympics that day, which is one of his big is to show those we care for how much
passions. I never knew that he did the Special Olympics we appreciate them, and that includes
on top of coaching high school and all of the youth sports our neighbors in the greater community.
here at JTAA.” Over the last year we’ve implemented
our Random Acts of Kindness as a way
NEED A/C? We’ve Got You Covered! to give back and showcase what it means
to be a part of the La Posada family.”
La Posada’s random acts of kindness
have taken place through a variety of
venues, encouraging everyone at the
“WE SHOW community to find an opportunity to
participate. So far this year, La Posada
UP!” has done everything from back-to-
school-supply drives and dessert special
deliveries, to appreciation for first
responders and special birthday deliveries
for all residents and associates, to making
snack bag distributions to delivery
workers and other essential employees
who were visiting our community.
The luxury retirement living
community has also prepared
donation boxes for the Peggy Adams
Animal Rescue League and raised
Call Today for a FREE estimate!
561.575.2173 For more information on how you can participate or to learn more
231 Jupiter St., Jupiter, FL about Life at La Posada: Call 561-277-0680 or visit mylaposada.com
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