This month we are very happy to highlight one of our youngest super volunteers, Thomas Kiely. This young man joined our volunteer team in July of 2016. Since then Thomas has been one of our trusted Route Angels and an office volunteer. His flexibility and willingness to explore new roles has made him one of our super volunteers!
Read more below to hear Thomas' take on CicLAvia!
Name, Age & Occupation
My name is Thomas Kiely and I am a 14 year old student La Cañada High School.
Favorite place to hang out in Los Angeles County
My favorite place in Los Angeles is Grand Park because it is one of the largest parks around and is a great place to do something with a large group.
Preferred method of non-motorized transportation
I prefer using a bike to get around because of its flexibility and speed.
Favorite CicLAvia Route and why?
My favorite CicLAvia route is Heart of LA. It is very long and branches out so much that you are able to see a good bit of the city.
What has surprised you the most about volunteering with CicLAvia?
One of the thing that surprised me most about volunteering is the ease to get into it. I have learned so much about everything from volunteer coordination to working in an office setting, with knowing almost nothing when I started.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to volunteer with CicLAvia?
I first started volunteering at the 2016 Wilshire route after going to many different CicLAvia events in the past with my dad, who not only introduced me to CicLAvia, but also cycling as a whole.
What's your personal philosophy on why open-streets are so important.
Having open streets events is very beneficial because they introduce people to new ways that they can not only make their commute easier but also help the world be a better place.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering for CicLAvia?
I would tell someone thinking about volunteering for CicLAvia that we always have a place that they can help, no matter their skill level or knowledge, we can help them learn what they need to know.
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We couldn't do what we do without them. Join our volunteer team by signing up here or emailing the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
