Volunteers are often called the heart of an organization. For Catholic schools, volunteers fill this role as well as many others that keep schools running smoothly all year long.
Annually, the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Volunteerism tracks the number of volunteers and volunteer hours from hundreds of organizations to determine the economic impact of volunteerism on the state.
Many of these volunteers serve in Catholic schools across the state. In fact, thousands of hours valuing more than $1.8 million to Catholic schools are donated each year, according to the Division of Volunteerism.
In its report, “Economic Impact of Arkansas Volunteers 2006,” the division reported that 17 of the state’s 31 Catholic schools logged more than 75,000 volunteer hours.
Leading the pack was Sacred Heart School in Morrilton with 16,700 hours. Just behind was St. Joseph School in Conway with 15,966 hours followed by Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock with 13,763 hours.
Of all the 26 private schools listed in the report, Sacred Heart was second only to Pulaski Academy in Little Rock in the number of hours volunteered.
More than just economic value, volunteers provide a range of services to schools that allow schools to serve students better.
“Our volunteers allow the teachers to do more for students,” Mary Beth Gunther, volunteer coordinator at St. Joseph in Conway, said. “Teachers get to do more special hands-on projects or in-depth science activities. The students really benefit.”
At St. Joseph, Gunther said volunteer activities range from helping at athletic events to creating bulletin boards to mowing the lawn.
“Everyone has something to add,” she said. “And everyone benefits when parents are aware of what is going on at school.”
Brian Bailey, principal at Sacred Heart in Morrilton agrees.
“I’ve been blown away by our volunteers,” he said. “The service hours program has brought us closer together as a community. Each person — teacher, student, administrator and parent — has a role to play in our school’s success.”
Many Catholic schools around the state ask parents to volunteer anywhere from 10 to 40 hours annually. Some even ask for payment of hours promised but not served to defray the costs associated with hiring others to work at events.
Sacred Heart School asks families to offer 30 service hours annually and stipulates that only 15 of those may be offered at athletic or booster club activities. The school secretaries certify the hours submitted and the parents keep a copy, Bailey said.
“Last year, 92 percent of our families got their service hours,” he said. “In any given week, we’ll see 25 to 50 volunteers doing something in the building.”
At Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock, the Fair Share Hours Program asks families to volunteer 20 hours (10 for single-parent families) or pay $200.
“This volunteer program has ensured equitable distribution of responsibilities among school families and allows for enrichment opportunities and interactions with other school parents, teachers and friends,” Diane Wolfe, principal, wrote in an e-mail response. “We have 100 percent participation and parent volunteers keep up with the accounting aspect of the Fair Share Program.”
In general, schools ask volunteers at the beginning of the school year to volunteer at various activities such as athletic events or fundraisers. Parents sign up based on their availability and interests. Then as the school year goes on and needs arise, volunteers are called on to fill needed roles. Some schools have paid staff that coordinate the program while others are totally volunteer led. Many have written policies outlining the expectations of parents to volunteer.
“We encourage and expect parents to volunteer. I think the spirit of the volunteer means that people are giving of their time of their own volition,” Marguerite Olberts, principal of St Theresa School in Little Rock, wrote in an e-mail response. “We try to create a welcoming environment where parents know the expectation and are happy to give of their time.”
At least one school, St. Peter in Pine Bluff, gives parents the option of volunteering for tuition credit. Those parents receive a 10-percent discount for two full days a month, principal Carol Ann Beeman, said.
St. Peter also encourages parents to volunteer through their Parent Teacher Organization in the “2-Hour Power” program.
“The parents pledge to donate two hours a school year to help with fundraisers or school trips or tutoring,” Beeman said. “With more parents participating, it makes it better for everyone and gets more parents involved.”
St. Mary School in Paragould requires families receiving tuition assistance to volunteer their time at school activities, with no set number of hours specified.
“All parents receiving tuition assistance are required to volunteer their time the night of the Shrimp Shak or send someone to work in their place,” Dee Pillow, principal, wrote in an e-mail response.
Some schools allow the hours to be pooled from several members of the family. For instance, St. John School in Hot Springs allows parents to send someone in their place to work at events, principal Elizabeth Shackelford said.
St. Joseph in Conway also allows older students to volunteer toward their families’ 40 hours per year, Gunther said.
Bailey said often whole families participate in the school work days helping to clean the school or maintain the grounds.
“Our elementary kids love to watch and work with their parents,” Bailey said. “It really becomes a spiritual event for many.”
While the programs vary from school to school, the end result is a stronger school community.
“Parents get to interact with other parents,” Gunther said. “Parents also get to know the children who hang out with their children.”
The common thread throughout all school officials was a deep appreciation of their parent volunteers.
“We are very blessed by our parish and school family with many who give to our school,” Beeman said.
In addition, Gunther said the children benefit in many ways too.
“Nothing tells a child you care like when a child sees a parent on campus volunteering,” Gunther said. “You can see the pride in the child’s eyes. That’s the real value of the program.”
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