Sara Kelly Signs Up For All Seasons as SRA’s New Exec Director
Sara Kelly, director of the Swarthmore Recreation Association.
There are few people around here who have not been touched by the Swarthmore Recreation Association in some way over the years. What started as a limited summer program for young children in 1940, SRA now offers activities for all ages year round. In addition to all of the programs SRA also maintains recreational facilities throughout our community. This is only possible thanks to many wonderful members of this community volunteering and working for SRA. Please welcome yet another dedicated neighbor, Sara Kelly, as the new SRA Executive Director.
Sara is excited about this new role and feels well supported. “I stepped into big shoes when I became the fourth director of SRA, but outgoing Director Colleen Murphy has been generous with her time, and Board President Greg Milbourne has been incredibly supportive. I feel very welcome in this storied institution,” she said.
Colleen served as director for nearly four years and has been an incredible leader. A brief glimpse of her achievements is indeed impressive. When Covid shut down programs that the community depends on for recreation and that SRA relies on financially, Colleen brought to life the socially distant Halloween house decorating contest, put videos of crafts on social media, and created the very popular Summer Hoops program. With the help of the Board, Colleen also added Junior Members to the SRA Board of Directors. These high school students bring life and creativity to SRA programming. “I am inheriting a well-run, thoughtfully organized, and graciously imagined corporation and it’s largely thanks to Colleen,” Sara said.
Sara decided to join SRA to give back to the community she loves. “When I think about the reasons why my family and I are so happy here, it is because of things like SRA that really connect the community. My youngest is going to be in first grade this year and I am excited to keep the connection going.” Sara is a mother of five and is a near constant presence on fields, on the river, poolside and anywhere her kids are engaged in sports. Coaching youth lacrosse this year was an eye opening experience for her, “I knew lacrosse only from the sidelines before this year, but coaching these boys was such a joyful experience. Every practice they taught me something and made me laugh. I hope other parents will step forward to coach, not only as a way to help their children, but for the happiness it can bring to their own lives.”
Sara also has high hopes for the future of SRA, “I think SRA can be a clearinghouse for any ideas people have for the community, and SRA has the infrastructure to turn ideas into action,” Sara said. She would love to see everyone in the community involved in some part of SRA. To that end, Sara is working on a new event this fall called the Hometown Harvest hosted at the Farmers Market. Market vendors will judge the fruit, vegetable, and floral entries of local gardeners. Winners will take home a Market gift certificate and the produce will go to a food pantry at the end of the competition. “I’m a vegetable gardener and really looking forward to seeing what other people like to grow. Plus, it’s so nice to be able to give some of the fruits of our labor to people in need.”
While we are all lucky that Sara will be bringing her energy, ideas and passion to SRA there is much more work to be done. SRA is still actively looking for board members, sports commissioners and program directors. To throw your hat in the ring, please contact Sara directly. If you can’t volunteer, but have an idea or any questions, please also reach out. More information about all that SRA offers and does can be found on the SRA website swarthmorerecreation.org and please follow SRA on social media.
