Exactly one year ago, St. John’s embarked on a new mission: Being a faith based partner with Tyler Elementary School in Hampton. This new mission was exciting and full of unknowns. What would our volunteers do at Tyler? Would the staff and children accept them? How many volunteers would we have? And in what varied ways could we help Tyler, a Title I School?
The data is now in from a one-year school experience. St. John’s volunteers went to Tyler on a regular weekly basis working in classes from kindergarten to fifth grade. Some were teachers’ helpers, some were readers, some were tutors, and some filled in as needed. From the beginning, all the volunteers raved about the atmosphere at Tyler, nicknamed the “Tyler Zone.” The school was/is a happy place run by a principal who knows what she is doing. The children are lovable just like children anywhere are.
A core group of about eight volunteers, and St. John’s as a church, accomplished a lot. Members volunteered time in classes. The church donated gift cards to help needy families at Christmas. The church donated money to help buy books for some students. And last but not least, several volunteers added their own special touches to classes. One wrote a book about the kids in her class, which included their pictures. She had copies made for every child – an act of kindness that has reached far and wide. Some bought goodies for their classes. Some made sure they attended special events such as their class graduation. In each case volunteers were unbiased, loving, fresh eyes in the school – something every school really needs.
It is a fact that every person who volunteered counted. They made a difference.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle, September 2008.