All parents are asked to select at least one of the jobs below.
A very small group of people did ALL of the jobs listed below last year. 
It's TOO MUCH for us. Playing soccer is not just coming up to the field and 
kicking a ball around. All of the jobs listed below are the behind-the-scenes 
things that make it so that we can have practices and games. 

We need EVERYONE to step up and help out our league!     

         Concession Stand workers
         Concession Stand purchaser @ Sam's 
         mow soccer fields
         mow around CE and entry area
         Boy's restroom clean-up
         Girl's restroom clean-up
         Trash pick-up around fields
         Trash pick-up on Richardson lane
         Trash can - empty and take to dumpster
         Volunteer sideline (assistant) referees for U10, U12
         Lesco (field marking paint) purchaser
         Mark fields on Friday evenings
         Set up all corner flags at beginning of game days
         Straighten up storage room


An open letter to all MYSA parents:
I was there in the beginning, when MYSA was no more than a few soccer teams 
and a dream to see a sports program in Melrose.  While I was pregnant with my third child, 
Laurie Alsobrook approached me and said she needed another coach.  "Ok," I mumbled, 
"I’ll help you find one,  I know nothing about soccer."  She just smiled and said “Heres a 
video, it will teach you...and the coaches meeting is Tuesday at 7pm”.  I was hooked.  

My life changed, my family's lives changed.  We did a lot of things from then on 
as a family, we chalked fields, we planted plants, we picked up trash, and we 
hung out while the others practiced, we worked the concession, we made new friends, 
cheered at their successes, we hung out where it was safe and drugs were not cool.  
We learned rules, new games and respect for our community.  We raised money, 
we saved money, and we did what we could for new equipment and fields.  

Our vacations were all-star games.  Our meals were after practice.  But we were together.  
We did it as a family, we believed in the dream.  We were MYSA.

My kids are grown now and they are giving back what was given to them. 
They coach, they umpire, they pick up trash and they work the concession. 
If Laurie asked them, they would be there.

Now it’s your turn, you’re the new families in the community. It’s time to watch your child 
learn to be part of team, to learn respect and the desire to do their best. To be a part of 
sports family where everyone matters. 

It’s easy to watch someone else do the work and complain it’s not right. It takes hard work 
and commitment to see MYSA continue to be a success. I over heard someone say 
“When are they going to mow the grass?” 

Being the MYSA president is not Laurie Alsobrook's job. She could go home at 4:00pm 
like other teachers.  But, t’s her desire to see every child have the chance to play, to learn 
to be part of a team, to believe in themselves and to keep children involved and not hanging 
out in the streets. She’s never been paid a dime fot the extra hours and rarely thanked, 
by an adult that is. The children thank her every time they run to her and tell her what a 
great play they made. Their joy is her thanks. 

My son learned when he hit the ball over the fence, his dream was Laurie’s dream.
When he received awards in High School, he thanked Laurie for her part in his success.

That’s Laurie’s dream of MYSA. Everyone can play a part in it from the smallest detail 
to the biggest. We all have a special skill and talent that can play a part in the success 
of OUR sports program. Instead of complaining, you can make a difference! 

Be apart of our dream. Be MYSA.

I has been said, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.”  MYSA is an important part 
of that village, but the villagers have to be involved.

submitted by an MYSA mom (and now MYSA grandma)