Freshman's email sparks volunteer program

LAKEWOOD RANCH — After giving up a life of dancing ballet, Courtney Joseph was looking for a new direction.

And the freshman at Lakewood Ranch High School thought work in the public sector would be the perfect fit.

This month, Courtney, 14, started work as Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s first volunteer.

“I love it,” said Courtney, who completed more than 11 hours of free volunteer work in her first week. “Everybody is so friendly. I love how it runs.”

“This could be something I might want to do some day,” she adds. “This is interesting.”

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Board in December approved a new administrative policy for a volunteer program, after Courtney contacted Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey about volunteering for the organization.

The policy defines volunteers in the program as non-elected volunteers who provide their time or talent to assist with tasks assigned by Town Hall’s executive director or department heads. Volunteers must be background checked and approved and attend an orientation, among other requirements. Applications are available at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Courtney, who loves to be neat and organized, is assisting with administrative tasks, such as sorting through old agreements to ensure they have the required signatures before Town Hall converts them into digital format and assembling new resident orientation packets.

Although Courtney expected an experience more like what she’s seen on television — a strict boss and no-fun work place — she’s been delighted so far.

Town Hall employees share her enthusiasm.

“She’s great,” Rey said. “We love her.”

Courtney danced for 11 years — since she was 3 years old — before quitting in December after losing interest.

“I wanted to find something else I could put myself into,” she said.

Courtney’s first thought was to volunteer at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. About a year ago, she’d contacted Operations Director Ryan Heise about sprinklers running on the sidewalks while people are out walking. She suggested Town Hall alter the watering times.

“He replied and we talked,” she said. “That’s what got me interested.”

What started it all
To Whom It May Concern,
I am Courtney Joseph, a local Lakewood Ranch resident. I am only 13 years old, however I aspire to do what you do for a living one day. I would love to be able to do something that makes an impact on the community, to make it better, and I would like to make a statement that might help make Lakewood Ranch a better and safer community.

I understand that many people have been complaining about the sprinkler problems on the sidewalks and roads. And I also know that an e-mail was sent out to the residents of Lakewood Ranch (my parents received the e-mail) and the e-mail said that you and your team were aware of the situation and were working on fixing it. I suggest that you change the times of the sprinklers to between midnight and 4 a.m. when very few or no people are using the sidewalks.