When Meaghan Gay’s son George enrolled at the St. Joseph School a year ago, she was eager to get involved. Beginning as a room parent in George’s class, where she supported teachers and led student activities, her involvement quickly expanded to include sponsoring school events and serving on the Gala & Auction Committee. Amid her busy life as a working mom, Meaghan prioritizes being a member of the St. Joseph community and cherishes the opportunity to forge relationships with other parents while witnessing her son’s growth at school.
Read on for Meaghan’s advice on making time for philanthropy and maximizing your impact.
Tell us a bit about your involvement with the St. Joseph School. What initially inspired you to get involved with this organization? How long have you been involved?
My oldest son, George, and my family joined the Saint Joseph School community in September 2022. I immediately felt welcomed and was drawn to the sense of camaraderie, love and acceptance. Parent involvement is encouraged and I was eager to find my place. Becoming room mom for my son's classroom was a great way to start. As a room parent, I am responsible for communicating with other class parents regarding non-academic activities in the classroom, forwarding information regarding events and programs when requested by teacher and administration, planning class parties, and coordinating teacher appreciation and recognition. Other opportunities were presented to me to get involved that I quickly latched onto. I joined the Gala and Auction committee to help plan the school’s largest annual fundraising event and sponsored several school events throughout the year, including the Fun Run, Golf Tournament, and Spring Gala.
Can you share your favorite memories from your work with the St. Joseph School? What are some of the wins or challenges you’ve faced?
My favorite memories from last year were meeting and forming relationships with parents and families in the St. Joe's community. I have seen so much growth in my son from the relationships he has formed, which has been extremely rewarding. As a full-time working mom, life is busy and time management is always a challenge! It's easy to use work as an "out" when my schedule is jam-packed. However, I am a strong believer of making time for things that are important to you and that you are passionate about.
As agents focused on philanthropic giving, how do you stay engaged throughout the year?
I factor in time to give back into my calendar when I am planning for the year. Otherwise it is easy to either overextend yourself or become complacent. To be fully transparent, even with careful planning, life happens and it is easy to get distracted. Those instances are a good reminder to take time to reflect and regroup and get back on track.
Do you have any recommendations for those considering taking a deeper dive into giving back?
Absolutely! Start by defining your passion and values to select a cause close to your heart. Educate yourself, set clear goals, and develop an approach to maximize your impact. Your commitment and efforts have the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and communities in need.
Meaghan Gay is a real estate professional with The Lara & Chelsea Collaborative | 54 Central Street, Wellesley | 508.596.8574 | meaghan.gay@gibsonsir.com
To learn more about the St. Joseph School in Needham, Massachusetts, visit saintjoes.com.
