Anyone with a child who has volunteered their time as a coach, team mom, or field worker knows it’s more than just being there to make sure the cotton candy doesn’t walk away. It’s being there for the kids. Many parents carry volunteer titled while their kids are still in high school. This can be said for Bartlesville’s Kim Baker.
Her daughter Brooke Baker is a soccer player for the Lady Bruins and coach Aaron Kuntz and coach Abby Barnes. She also plays competitive soccer for Jordan Belong and the Bartlesville NEOFC 06 girls’ team. Kim started volunteering while Brooke was still very young.
“I started volunteering for Bartlesville Public Schools when Brooke started Pre-K at Wayside Elementary School. So, as soon as Brooke made roster for the Lady Bruins, I knew I wanted to focus my extra time with Brooke and the team and I jumped right in to start helping our team manager, Sheryl Decker,” Kim said.
Her list of activities continued to grow as she made herself available as much as possible.
“I really try to be available to do what Sheryl and the coaches need me to do. Our list is long, and I had no idea all it takes to manage a high school team, but the time and attention is absolutely worth it. I personally assist with the management of our Instagram and Facebook social media pages (@bhsladybruinsoccer). I help keep the locker room stocked with the generous donations from our parents, coordinate our fundraisers and send out challenges for our Big/Lil Sis program,” Kim continued. “I keep parents and the team up to date on weekly events and announcements via various communications, and I help organize our team dinners and gate/concession volunteer lists. I assist with setting up the video equipment at each game so the players can have their highlight videos and stats available for college recruiting, and most importantly, I do what I can to encourage the players, invest in them and remind them that they are valued, they are needed, and they have a team mom that is there for them and believes in them. They’re a phenomenal group of young women and I’m so honored that I get to support them.”
Having the opportunity to support Brooke and the other players on the team makes being a volunteer worth it for Kim.
“I most enjoy getting to spend time with the team, giving back to the community and serving the players. My hope is that we’re creating an atmosphere where the players feel encouraged, challenged, appreciated, safe and ultimately create in them a legacy that develops into a desire to be a part of and contribute to something bigger than them,” said Kim.
Making an impact in the young lives of the players is important to Kim and the other volunteers. Kim believes every parent should take an interest in their kids’ lives.
“For me, it places me right in the center of what’s important to Brooke and it gives me a better understanding of what inspires her. My husband [Kendall] and I want to model for Brooke what it means to serve others and your community. It’s our priority to help make the activities she’s involved in as positive, successful, and as rewarding as possible, not only for Brooke but for everyone else involved too,” said Kim.
For the Baker family, Bartlesville has been a great place to live and raise a family.
“Although we’re only in our freshman year with the high school, I’ve been very pleased, impressed, and thankful for school leadership and her athletic journey. Bartlesville is an amazing community full of wonderful citizens, families, churches, schools, facilities, and organizations. I’ve lived in Bartlesville 29 years, and I truly think it’s the best community on earth and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” said Kim.
When time allows, Kim said she enjoys being outdoors and she loves where she works.
“For my free time, I love being a soccer mom and team volunteer. I also enjoy walking, jogging when I can, and I love to be outdoors. I am a Sr. Health and Welfare advisor at Phillips 66, I’m an RN and I serve on the Ascension St Johns Jane Phillips hospital board and the Patient’s Right to Pharmacy Choice Advisory Committee for Governor Stitt and Oklahomans. I’m also an OKWU soccer mom to our adopted daughter, Isa, an OKWU Women’s Soccer player and student from Brazil.”
