School Volunteer Ministry: Serving as Hands and Feet of Jesus

A couple of years ago, when St. Patrick Elementary School went through the accreditation process, the organization was very surprised to find that the school has no budget for maintenance. This is due to the large number of parent and community volunteers who help at the school, from cleaning and grounds maintenance, to repairs and even extra office work. Volunteers will make copies for teachers, organize activities, wash windows and assist with fundraising events.

“We are very blessed with incredibly talented and dedicated people within our school,” says Lou McKay, Principal. “We have one volunteer, Pat Williams, he is always on call for us and will come to fix anything that we have a problem with! We saved so much money when parents came in and set up the computer lab for us!”

The school has a tuition reimbursement program that parents or family members can utilize with volunteer hours. The budget that would have gone into hiring maintenance workers can now be put back into the school benefitting the children.

The last Saturday of each month is set as Volunteer Work Day. Teachers provide lists of things with which they need help in their classroom. The volunteers arrive and get right to work on getting things done. The months of June and July are spent on larger scale projects for the school in preparation of the students returning. They deep clean the rooms, polish the floors, and do any painting or other necessary large projects.

“Our volunteers are wonderful role models to the students,” Mrs. Lou says. “They see their parents helping and they are more likely to help as well. This ministry is an act of love. People are so selfless. I witness everyday people who are willing to serve and help us out of the goodness of their hearts. And because of that love, we are able to continue our ministry of providing a Catholic education to these children.”

Each fall, the school puts together a large pumpkin patch. The volunteers help with unloading the pumpkins and setting up the whole patch. This event is a success because of the volunteers who work so hard to put it together.

“People help out of the goodness of their hearts,” Mrs. Lou says. “We see the hands and feet of Jesus in all of them and we are so grateful.”

Volunteers at the school must undergo a background check and complete the safety training required by the diocese. For more information on how you can help the school through this ministry, please contact the school office at 936-634-6719.