Volunteering with a local group has helped Bella Waters set the course for her future.
“My younger brother, Ellis, has autism,” said Waters, an 18-year-old North Augusta High School senior, who got involved with The RECing Crew three years ago because of him.
The RECing Crew provides sports, recreational and leisure programs to children and adults with visual, hearing, intellectual and physical disabilities in the Augusta area. Through her volunteering, Waters has decided to embark on a career in occupational therapy and help people like those she’s worked with in The RECing Crew.
Waters has helped with Tuesday’s Alley Cats’ bowling league, as well as organized events like the Boo Bash, a Halloween dance.
At North Augusta High School, Waters serves as vice president of the student body, is on the yearbook staff and has shadowed a special education teacher at Belvedere Elementary as part of the teacher cadet program. She’s gotten some of the members of the school’s baseball team to help out with the upcoming adaptive baseball season.
While she’s enjoyed helping out with the organization, she realized just how much it had impacted her life last spring and summer.
Members of The RECing Crew participated in a virtual program called Bella’s Hangout. During last year’s lockdown, it was one of the highlights for many of them. Photo courtesy of Bella Waters. 
Bella Waters stands next to Krystal Gardner at the Boo Bash in October. Waters organized the dance and party for membesr of The RECing Crew. Courtesy of Bella Waters.
She created a virtual group for members of The RECing Crew called “Bella’s Hangout.”
During 2020’s lockdown, it was a weekly event that many members looked forward to. She created trivia games and other competitions.
According to Pam Stickler, founder of The RECing Crew, it was only during Bella’s Hangout time that some of the program members even smiled.
Socialization is important for many of The RECing Crew’s members, and it was hard on them to be separated from their friends, Waters added.
“It gave them a much-needed social connection,” Waters said.
And not only did it give them a social connection, but it gave her one as well.
“I saw how much I can change lives and make their day. That made my life better too,” Waters said.
She’s only doing Bella’s Hangout once a month now, but it’s still a popular program, Stickler said.
A desire for meaningful experiences on a regular basis is the motivating force behind Waters’ career goals.
Waters plans to major in psychology and minor in business management at Augusta University and then get a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Her mother is also an occupational therapist.
One of the reasons she’s choosing to stay close to home is so she can continue her involvement with The RECing Crew. Water said that the organization is so important to her that she always wants to be part of it.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
