First Tee – Coachella Valley Magazine
•
Spring 2023
•
3
Giving
back
Retired couple finds
joy and fulfillment
with volunteer work
P
aul and Suzy Pendolino
are making a difference as
dedicated volunteers for the
First Tee – Coachella Valley. The
couple, who recently retired to the
area, were attracted to the organ-
ization's mission of introducing
kids to golf and teaching them
important life skills.
"As new golfers and community
members, we were drawn to the
program as a way to get involved
and work with kids," says Suzy,
who began volunteering with
Paul in September of 2021. "We've
learned so much from the experi-
ence and it's been incredibly re-
warding to watch the kids learn
and grow."
As assistant volunteer coaches,
the Pendolinos provide essential
support during Wednesday after-
noon sessions, helping coaches
with check-ins, guiding kids
through drills, maintaining their
focus during lessons, and assisting
with cleanup. They also lend a
hand with events such as golf
tournaments and fundraisers.
"We're there to support the
coaches and make sure everything
runs smoothly," says Paul. "But the
real joy comes from working with
the kids. They keep us on our toes
and we've had a lot of fun learning
with them."
For the Pendolinos, the experi-
ence has been eye-opening.
"We've learned so much about
golf and the importance of core
values like responsibility, con-
fidence, honesty, and integrity,"
says Suzy. "But we've also learned
how important it is to give back to
our community and work with
young people."
In an era where neighborhood
involvement is more important
than ever, the Pendolinos are set-
ting an example for others.
"We would encourage anyone
looking to make a difference in
their community to consider
volunteering for the First Tee –
Coachella Valley program," says
Paul. "It's been one of the most
rewarding experiences of our
retirement."
To support their community, Paul and
Suzy Pendolino volunteer at First Tee.
To learn more about
becoming a volunteer
at First Tee – Coachella
Valley, contact Kyle Winn
at kwinn@ftcv.org, or call
(760) 834-6791.
HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
GET INVOLVED
