Recognizing Springfield's faith-based community for their volunteer efforts in our schools

This week is National Volunteer Week. To celebrate and say thanks to all of our volunteers I’m sharing some stories about the impact volunteers have in our schools.

Springfield has a supportive faith-based community, and local churches have taken a leading role in partnering with schools.

Here’s Danielle Carson, the volunteer coordinator at York Elementary, discussing one of the partnerships their school has with a Springfield church.

We have volunteers from Wesley United Methodist that come on Wednesdays to greet the students in the morning. I believe it makes a difference to these kids to see someone other than staff that are smiling and welcoming them to school. All of our volunteers are amazing, and I am excited to show then how much all appreciate them.

A dozen or more volunteers from Christ Episcopal Church descend on Bissett Elementary each week to read to children and work with classroom teachers. Volunteers from the church help with the events that promote parent participation in the school community. That includes Fall Festival Day, an event created and hosted by Christ Episcopal Church for families to enjoy a day of fun together.

Bissett first graders got the opportunity in the fall to see Springfield Little Theatre’s performance of Alice in Wonderland, thanks to the generosity of church members. Partner efforts such as this enhance the educational experience for children, getting them further engaged in the learning process.

Our schools are truly blessed to have such strong links with Springfield’s faith community.

If you or your church would like to get involved at a neighborhood school, just give us a call at 523-0021.