Sep112008
Gifts of Service

POSTED AT 12:31 AM

I got stopped the other day dead in my tracks as someone asked me,
"Why do you volunteer?" 

I never really had stopped and given it some thought.  Why do I volunteer?  What makes me come back to help time and time again, be the last one at a program, putting the drink containers in the work room, taking down the signs?  I'm not sure.  I like helping people and knowing I can make a difference in others' lives.  But I think it's more than that.  I like the variety of people and personalities I get to encounter, the touching stories I hear when I work with others, and the teamwork that naturally follows when volunteering happens and the wonderful close friends I have made over the many, many years of volunteering in our schools since 1995. 

I know as a child I remember helping out my mother as she did the same thing, and my children help me now as that lesson of giving is passed on....perhaps its genetic.  Other parents who volunteer with me have their children along and make it a family affair.  But I think there is more to it than genetics.  I think learning the gift of giving is an important life lesson for all of our children.  In these days of instant gratification, iPods, cellphones, and 200-dollar gaming systems, learning to give back can be a good thing.  And volunteering can happen in so many ways.  It can be behind the scenes counting things, one on one developing new programs, in front of groups doing presentations, at home in your living room making posters, on a bleacher with a kid at a game, cheering on the team.  It can be getting loads of ice and making lemonade (thanks, Debbie!) or working in a concession stand or helping to measure students for uniforms, or making phone calls.  It can be greeting newcomers at the door and making them feel welcome in a new and strange place or offering words of encouragement to a struggling student or helping sell books at Book Fair. 

There are so many ways to give and to be a volunteer.  I urge you to find your niche, whether as a mentor (applications available now!), or helping out in a classroom or in the Parent Center or working from home or work.  Schools with involved parents...and volunteering is only one way of being involved...have more successful students.  That's a plain proven fact with all kinds of wonderful statistically significant studies.  

So...chose your spot!  Upcoming ways are: 

Be a part of Dads of Great Students on September 15 that your PTA is sponsoring (see front page of website for details). 
Attend one of our athletic events as a family (click athletics link on front page for schedules).  
Assist with staffing our Parent Center.
Help organize a scrapbook event for other parents.
Work in our front office answering phones
or help me with contacting teachers via email to see what they need help with

Contact me at bonneproofs@sbcglobal. net for other ways to get involved. 
Come Give Five for the Hive! 
To stay updated on ways to volunteer at Hopewell, join Five4Hive@yahoogroups.com. 

Till next week....
Bonne  
 
 
Be the first to rate this post
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
0 Comments Add a comment

 

Add comment

38.107.191.117

*required

 

*required

  

 

Notify me when new comments are added

Include comments...

Last Modified: Tuesday, Oct. 06, 2009
 
 © 2010 TeacherWeb, Inc.

Content on this site is the responsibility of the Subscriber. Additional information is available in the TeacherWeb Terms & Conditions.