To the editor:
This letter is a thank-you note to Julie Mallett for her countless hours of commitment and dedication through her work as the Lynnfield recreation director. Unfortunately, Julie felt the need to resign her position and we will feel her loss in Lynnfield deeply. Julie Mallett has enriched our community beyond measure.
Sometimes when one makes it “look easy,” as Julie has, others do not often realize the innumerable hours, organizational skills, incredible effort, and energy necessary to develop, grow, and nurture the successful entity that is Lynnfield Recreation.
Planning and scheduling exciting inclusive programs for Lynnfield kids of all ages as well as adults, sprinting from school to school to check on concurrent programs, fielding emails from parents, often beyond “work” hours, Julie has been there. Working closely with the Department of Public Works, Julie also helped assure that fields were ready for use. To offer affordable programs to all, Julie started “Friends of Lynnfield Recreation,” a nonprofit to raise funds to lower costs for Lynnfield families. Each summer 400-450 Lynnfield children have attended summer camp at Lynnfield Middle School, Rec Junior, and Travel Rec for nominal fees under Julie’s direction. Implementing new software for signups and to make camper check-in flow more smoothly, Julie was an innovator.
Julie listened to the community to create events including adult pickleball, Cars and Coffee, LMS Early Release field trips, game club, adult cornhole, Light up Lynnfield, Father Daughter Dance, Mother Son Bowling, the Middle School Cross Country and Track program, morning workouts, and countless more. Providing inclusive opportunities for Lynnfield youth year round through ski club, summer basketball league, Rec Junior, and exciting summer trips to Canobie Lake Park and various locations, Julie organized it all. Working with the Lynnfield Fire Department, Julie ensured that all staff members under her employment were fully trained and certified in CPR and AED. Many of our high-school students were able to fulfill their required community-service hours as volunteer counselors at Summer Recreation and often were promoted to paid positions, thanks to Julie.
Julie solved problems on the fly without batting an eye! When buses were late or had mechanical issues, Julie handled it. Communicating with staff and parents, Julie reminded all to wear sunscreen, bring a towel, or take an extra water bottle. Julie cared for Lynnfield’s children as her own and treated her staff like family.
Thank you also to the entire Mallett family who contributed to the success of Lynnfield Recreation. From setting up and taking down the popular water slide weekly to running around to every grocery store in a 10-mile radius to ensure there were always enough Popsicles on hand, Billy, Bryan, Jake, and Kiera were often on duty pitching in. The scope of what the Malletts have done for our town through Lynnfield Recreation is far-reaching and will be greatly missed.
Thank you, Julie. Your tremendous impact on our town cannot be understated. You are irreplaceable. Best wishes as you move on to your next chapter.
With our gratitude, respect, and love,
Michelle Burpee-Robert, Patricia Hazelton, Mike Wein, Ali Crampe, Nikki Louise Ferullo, Annie DeRosa, Kristen Lorentzen, and Traci Ross
Lynnfield Recreation staff members
