Congratulations to Randy and Janice Stroud,
our October Volunteers of the Month!Randy and Janice have been an integral part of Atlanta Track Club since
the 1970's.They are "frequent flyers"
of our organization, both participating in and/or volunteering at most of our
events.This extraordinary couple
volunteers with us 10 to 15 times per year, and another 25+ volunteer ventures
outside of Atlanta Track Club.Keep an
eye out for Randy and Janice!If you see
them, please extend a heartfelt thank you for all they do for the community!
How long have you been volunteering with
Atlanta Track Club?
Randy: I cannot
even remember how long it's been. I have
been a member of the track club since around 1973 and have been helping in
various ways since then.
Janice: I have
been volunteering since sometime in the 1970's. I helped with results at the
AJC Peachtree Road Race when it finished in Central City Park near the old
Trust Company Bank building.
Do you remember your first time
volunteering with Atlanta Track Club?
Randy: I started
volunteering sometime in the early to mid-70's when I helped as a course
monitor.
Janice: I started
helping in the 1970's at various races by collecting and counting the finish
cards when they were placed in baskets by age group. No electronic timing then!
What is your favorite Atlanta Track Club
event?
Randy: My favorite
event to run is Peachtree. 2022 will be
50 in a row for me. My favorite volunteering events are the midweek kids' races
and the Wingfoot Classic. I love watching
young runners develop a love for running.
Janice: I too love
Peachtree to race. Volunteering at the
kids' races is something I really love.
As a retired elementary teacher, it is exciting to see children work
hard and experience fun while getting in better physical condition.
What is one of your best memories from
volunteering at any race?
Randy and
Janice: Hands down, it would be the
excitement of the Olympic Marathon Trials!
What a privilege it was to help these gifted athletes as they competed
in preparation to represent our nation at the Olympics.
Randy: Working the
finish line at the Wingfoot Classic and catching exhausted runners as they
completed their race is something I will never forget.
What is your favorite thing about
volunteering with Atlanta Track Club?
Randy: Being a
part of helping Atlanta Track Club put on great events is very satisfying.
Janice: I enjoy
knowing that I am helping give back to the organization that has meant so much
to my family and me for many, many years.
Do you have a favorite volunteer
assignment?
Randy: I enjoy events where I can encourage younger
runners as a course monitor or finish line helper.
Janice: I love
cheering for young runners at our kids' events as I help them stay on course as
a course monitor.
Do you do any volunteering in the community
beyond Atlanta Track Club?
Randy: I am the treasurer of our HOA in our
neighborhood. I have helped volunteer in
various ways and places when our church does community service and outreach. We have led Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace
University classes for several years at our church. We also help with a ministry that plans and
puts on events for our senior adults at our church.
Janice: I help by
teaching in our ladies' ministry, and helping our quilt club, and book club at
church. I have also volunteered in the school where my daughter teachers second
grade. I volunteer in our community by
delivering baked goods to our local firefighters.
What do you do for a living?
Randy: I am the
facilities manager at Burnt Hickory Church of Christ in Marietta, GA, after
retiring from AT&T/Lucent Technologies several years ago.
Janice- I retired
a few years ago after teaching elementary school for 35 years at Greater
Atlanta Christian School. I am now a
professional grandmother of our five wonderful grandchildren!
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom
for any new Atlanta Track club volunteers?
Randy: If you have
never volunteered before or are having second thoughts about volunteering, just
go for it! Take an opportunity to get
involved. It is satisfying and is a
great way to give back to our community and Atlanta Track Club.
Janice: You will be a very important part of making
any race possible and more enjoyable and safe for the participants. They truly appreciate your help! I speak from experience as a participant who
very much appreciates those who get out early and stay the course!
Tell us something interesting about
yourself - an interesting fact or story that will help us get to know you.
Randy: I was
honored to carry the Olympic Torch during the 1984 Olympic Torch Relay across
the United States. I was on the team
that carried the torch from near Indianapolis, Indiana through Atlanta to
Tupelo, Mississippi. It was something I
will never forget! I love watching sports of all kinds and playing with our
five grandchildren.
Janice: I love
making quilts, reading, walking, and camping.
Time spent with our children, grandchildren and extended family, are
times that I treasure.
Fun Fact: We met while living down the street from each
other when we were thirteen years old.
Puppy love turned into real love!
Previous Volunteers of the Month
"Volunteer of the Month" began in March of 2015 with the launch of our new website as a way to honor and recognize our amazing Atlanta Track Club volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty. Congratulations to our Volunteers of the Month and thank you for all that you do!
