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service in action: The Major league baseball players trust - volunteers of america action team national youth volunteer program Major leaguers in action Texas Rangers pitcher Jason Jennings has a unique distinction among Major League baseball players – he is the only one who has been a member of three different Action Teams and he’s been with the program continuously from the start. Jennings was pitching for the Colorado Rockies when he had a program pitched to him – a youth community service program created by the Players Trust and Volunteers of America. Denver would be the first site. His role would be to work with high school Action Team Captains to encourage teens to get involved in community service. He took a chance on the program, says Jennings, and today is amazed and proud at how it has grown. Since Denver, Jennings has supported the Houston Action Team as a member of the Houston Astros. This year he is supporting the Dallas/Ft. Worth Action Team, along with fellow Texas Rangers players Michael Young and Eddie Guardado. Memorable Moments on the Action Team The opportunities to work with high school volunteers and give back to the community have kept Jennings involved with the Action Team. He can describe lots of projects that were fun and meaningful – like painting a mural for a Denver Head Start program with a group of Action Team Captains. (See the photos of Jennings and teens in artistic action!) One of his favorite experiences was the time the Action Team visited a senior center in Denver. Jennings stopped by an aerobics class and was invited to join in. “I didn’t really break a sweat from the exercise,” he recalls, “but the older men were giving me pitching tips. Some of their suggestions were pretty good!” In Houston, Jennings got another chance to help get an Action Team off the ground, supporting the Houston Action Team in its first year. Although an injury curtailed his activities with the teen volunteers, he was on hand for the initial launch session with the Houston Action Team Captains. Jennings was born and raised in Dallas, so he’s delighted to be back in his home city, playing for the Texas Rangers. “I’ve been away for eight years, so I’m counting on the Action Team Captains in Dallas/Ft. Worth to enlighten me on the needs in our area and what we can do to help.” Counting Blessings and Helping Others Jennings has high praise for the Action Team Captains. “They’re all very goal-oriented students and eager to get involved to help others.” Did he volunteer in high school? No, Jennings admits, which is one reason he wants to spread the word to students about the benefits of volunteering. “Volunteering can show you how blessed you are,” says Jennings. “So many people are in worse situations than you are; so many people need help. I had the first of my three children at the time I was making visits to the children’s hospital in Denver. Every time I went there, I thought about how blessed I was to have a healthy child.” Volunteering also offers immediate rewards, says Jennings. “You get it from the looks on people’s faces when you’re helping them. When you know you’ve brightened someone’s day, it’s a win-win.” He urges all high school students to find time to volunteer. “No matter how busy you are, there’s an hour you can give as a volunteer – to play cards with someone, to stop by and say hi to people who need a bright spot in their life. There are plenty of opportunities to help. Just fit it in when you can.”
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