Running a day care from her home five days a week, and raising four children of her own, one would think being a volunteer would be the last thing Amy Trotman of rural Blooming Prairie needed to do.

Monday, November 29, 1999

Running a day care from her home five days a week, and raising four children of her own, one would think being a volunteer would be the last thing Amy Trotman of rural Blooming Prairie needed to do.

She has been a volunteer religious instructor for St. Columbanus Catholic church for 14 years. She is a volunteer at St. Isidore’s School at Litomysl every Friday instructing the 36 students in physical education. She is a member of the St. Isidore School Board, an unpaid elected office for four years. She has also been a member of the Mat Man’s Club, a wrestling program that was started through the Blooming Prairie schools.

"I was a Sunday school teacher in high school and in college at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester. I love working with kids. I can’t pay my way to heaven but I can afford to work my way to heaven. I think it is a parent’s obligation to help out in programs their children are involved in. Most of the programs I am involved in would not be able to function if not for volunteers," said Trotman.

Trotman is proud of the accomplishments she has made through volunteering. Last year she and Dawn Meyerhofer, her neighbor, had each of the wrestlers in the Mat Man’s Club obtain a sponsor. The sponsor gave the wrestler $10 and the wrestler kept the sponsor informed of their progress throughout the season. The sponsor got a certificate stating they were a sponsor, and the wrestlers photo was emblazened on the certificate.

"This was a very successful program and generated a lot of money for the club. I declined to be involved with it this year. One thing I have learned, is to say no. It feels good to say no. I have been feeling a bit burnt out volunteering so much," said Trotman.

One program Trotman is not burnt out with is the religious instruction at St. Columbanus. She was Sunday school coordinator for 12 years and as her children have grown, she has taught third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh and eight graders.

"I have been able to form many friendships through volunteering, as have my children. My 9-year-old son Allan said it makes him feel important when all these older people stop and talk to him. Besides the friendships our family has made, volunteering has given me knowledge in how programs are run. I have learned how to keep a school budget, teachers adequate salaries, and keep tuition affordable," said Trotman.

Of all the volunteering and running around Trotman does, she keeps organized and makes sure her family is left with a clean house, clean clothes and good meals. Her family comes first before she will run off to her volunteer duties. Her husband Tim, along with her son Lee, 15, daughter Jill, 11, and youngest sons, Allan, 9, and Patrick, 7, all pitch in to keep this busy household running smoothly.

"I like the involvement of other people. I like teaching religious instruction the best. Sharing my Catholic faith with young kids has made me more open to change within society. We question the solid teachings of the Catholic church, which in turn has strengthened my faith and the face of my students. The kids are open in discussion in class because I am open too," said Trotman.