SC of Morris Donations Honor Test Judges

By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online

When Skating Club of Morris Test Chair Audrey Forman and Board Trustee Cathy Vermillion wanted to honor their test judges with a special gift, they immediately thought of making a donation in the judges' names to U.S. Figure Skating.

"I work for a Fortune 500 company that regularly hosts an at-work blood and platelet drive," Forman said. "At each drive, my company provides each donor with a token gift in appreciation of their donation. This past year, instead of a gift, the employees were asked if they would rather have the company make a donation to the charity of their choice."

Inspired by this idea, Forman inquired with U.S. Figure Skating's Director of Development Stacey Marsh as to how to make a gift to the association in honor of their volunteer judges.

"It was the club's wish that the gifts be directed to the 'Unrestricted Fund,' or what I like to call 'Areas of Greatest Need'," Marsh said. "This is the funding U.S. Figure Skating has available to use at a moment's notice to respond to a need or an opportunity."

Each month, the SC of Morris sends Marsh a check and a list of judges it wants to honor.

"[The club] gives the judges a card letting them know that a gift is being made in their honor," Marsh said, "And we send each of the judges an acknowledgment letter letting them know about the gift."

Marsh loved the idea of honoring the club volunteers from the moment she and Forman began discussing the project.

Rachel Forman (L) and Maddie Winter give a thumbs-up after receiving passing test scores.
(Photo by Jackie Palawasta)

"I have been an active volunteer myself with organizations throughout the years, and when you really stop and think about it, how many certificates, coffee mugs, pens, pins, T-shirts, etc., do you really need?" Marsh said. "After a while, they really just aren't that meaningful, and I would rather see an organization do something more worthwhile with the money they have been spending on the volunteers."

Gold test judge Joan Liotta is one of those honored by the SC of Morris.

"I am glad that a donation in my honor can be used to further the careers of young promising skaters. I think it is the gift that keeps on giving," Liotta said. "I get my name listed on the U.S. Figure Skating website, and a skater receives monetary support to further his or her career."

The club wants to be the first of many to recognize its judges and volunteers in this manner.

"It was so well received from the test session judges," Forman said. "Cathy and I both hope that other clubs throughout the country will follow the Skating Club of Morris' lead and consider monthly or quarterly donations to U.S. Figure Skating in honor of their test session judges. We could help our athletes so much this way."