You Are the Missing Piece
What a local gala theme has in common with learning a back handspring.
THE PARENT PLAYBOOK: THE MISSING PIECE
"You are the missing piece."
That was the theme of this year's Amelia Molloy's Angels gala on October 1 at White Star Ranch. Honestly, we could hang that line on the wall of every one of our gyms.
No athlete ever learns a back handspring by themselves. It takes practicing drills over and over, a coach who spots them through the first hundred tries. A teammate cheering from the next mat. And a parent who drove across town at 4:45 on a Tuesday with a granola bar and a prayer.
Take away any one of those people and that back handspring takes a lot longer to land. A community works the same way.
Ashley Antongiovanni started Amelia Molloy's Angels right here in Bakersfield so that no one going through infertility has to feel alone. They give grants to help families with fertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy, they run monthly support groups, and they send out Comfort Kits so families know someone is in their corner.
American Kids has been in that corner for a while, from sponsoring their golf tournaments to their annual gala. Last year we were a Blue Jean Sponsor of the Giving the Gift of Family Gala, and this year we were proud to sponsor a table again.
Danielle Holmes, Director of Gymnastics; Megan Williams; and Matt Williams, Director of Operations, at the Amelia Molloy's Angels gala on Oct. 1.
So why does a kids' sports center care?
Because families are what we're about. We've been doing this since 1984, and we've watched a lot of Bakersfield kids grow up on our mats, from their very first class to their first meet. We've watched little brothers and sisters tag along for months and then want to enroll themselves. Helping more people get the chance to start a family of their own just makes sense to us.
That's Bakersfield, too. When somebody needs help, people show up, usually with a casserole and a folding table.
So show up where you can, and bring your piece. Nobody needs a perfect landing. Our kids figure that out on the mat every week, and the rest of us are still working on it (along with our cartwheels).
Ashley, and everyone at Amelia Molloy's Angels, thank you for everything you do all year. We're glad to be a small piece of it.
See you around town.
— Matt Williams, Director of Operations, American Kids Sports Center
PS. If you'd like to support them too, you can learn more at ameliamolloysangels.com.
PPS. And if your kid climbs the furniture like it's an obstacle course, come see us. You can tour any of our gyms, no appointment needed. 📱 American Kids app · 📞 (661) 589-2100
Source: Amelia Molloy's Angels — 5th Annual Gala "You are the Missing Piece".
The Parent Playbook Blog
