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.