Community Volunteer Awards
2022 Honoree
Carol Kraus, Cordova Blue Marlins
Distinguished Service to Youth
Carol Kraus, Cordova Blue Marlins
When Carol Kraus signed up her 9-year old son for the local rec swim team back in 2007, she could not have known she had begun a journey that would bring her to an awards ceremony, but that is what has occurred.
It was no surprise to anyone who knew Carol that swimming would be central to her child’s summer because Carol – a proud Cordovan – grew up at the Cordova Community Pool.
Carol’s son kept swimming and moved on to college. Carol remained true to the Marlins in an on-going cycle as president, vice president and registrar – the rare kind of community service we have seen at other Rancho Cordova youth sports leagues and duplicated by Carol.
In any given year, Carol logs more than 200 hours with the Cordova Blue Marlins, attending meetings with the Cordova Recreation and Park District and Rancho Cordova Athletic Association, working at swim meets, championships, swim family events, shopping for the snack bar, raising money and being available on the pool deck for other swim parents. She is always in the forefront of the Blue Marlins entry in the Rancho Cordova Fourth of July Parade, making it a fan favorite. Over the 15 years Carol has dedicated to the Blue Marlins, she has racked up thousands of volunteer hours.
But if Carol’s devotion wasn’t enough during her many years of busy Blue Marlins life, one can only imagine the challenges encountered in keeping this legacy organization alive when the pool, literally, went dry.
Built in 1962, the pool aged, leaked and deteriorated. Eventually, at the ripe old age of 53, it reached the point of no return and in 2015, closed for good. While community leaders struggled with how to replace it, Carol and the Blue Marlins were faced with the challenge of how to keep the team alive when they had no home pool to practice, to host meets or be together.
Carol continued to speak out on behalf of the swim community, providing feedback during the planning of the replacement pool. She maintained a presence for the Marlins with the Rancho Cordova Athletic Association, securing funding that enabled the team to go on the road to stay alive. And when the new $8.3 million pool finally reopened after six long years last summer -- amid COVID restrictions -- she advocated to host two of the smaller teams to assure swimmers had a Championship Meet experience.
Carol has worked to make sure the Cordova Blue Marlins have a place not only for youth who swim competitively, but socially and therapeutically as well. Most recently she ensured a parent of a young transgender swimmer could join the swim team and feel included. Registration for the 2022 season opened recently, and early results indicate the Blue Marlins will be making a strong comeback, thanks to people like Carol, who kept the lights on.
A steady performer who has contributed to making the Cordova Blue Marlins swim community a Rancho Cordova legacy organization, and an inclusive family environment, Carol has given a great gift to thousands of children and their families over the years.
Said Carol:
“It takes everyone of raise these kids, whether they are our swim athletes or their siblings at meets, we all have to take care of each other. It takes a village, and our village is Cordova.”
Nominated by the Cordova Recreation and Park District who were inspired by your devotion, congratulations to Carol Kraus, winner of 2022 award for Distinguished Service to Youth.
