Junior softball player Georgia Verrastro spent her summer weekends volunteering, amassing over 60 hours, and her commitment to giving back has led to her selection as the Saint Peter’s Female Student-Athlete of the Month (August).

On two separate weekends, Verrastro joined Penn State Worthington Scranton at the Pocono Raceway, located in the Pocono Mountains. Over the four days, Verrastro volunteered for 40 hours, doing various jobs around the race track. Her responsibilities included watching the crowd for any safety violations (i.e. smoking) or health problems (i.e. heat exhaustion), assisting guests to their seats, and scanning tickets at the entrance to the raceway.

For each day volunteered, the Pocono Raceway donated $100 per person to the Penn State Worthington Scranton fundraising efforts; over the four days she volunteered, Verrastro added $400 to the total.

Verrastro also volunteered over 20 hours at the third annual Shane Rivenburgh Big Ball Classic, held this year on July 14-15. The Classic is held in memory of local baseball star Shane Rivenburgh who was killed in a motorcycle accident in April 2016. The tournament is a two-day event, with people of all ages forming teams and playing to celebrate the life of Rivenburgh. The proceeds from the event go towards high school scholarships as well as local youth baseball organizations that can not afford equipment.

Verrastro is the starting catcher for the Saint Peter’ Softball team, and was a selected to the MAAC All-Academic team in Spring 2018.