Are volunteer hours just about helping out, or are they about building community?
Assigning volunteer hours to parents has long been a tradition at King’s Wood. Parents help with various tasks and receive credit for their volunteer hours. This keeps tuition affordable and helps us accomplish everyday tasks. But there is another reason why we encourage parents to volunteer: To Build Community.
When you get involved in an institution beyond financial contributions, you start putting down roots. You become invested in how things run. The towels you wash are used by your child during practical life activities. The mats you laundered are used every day by children for their work. The shopping you do nourishes their minds and bodies (and bake delicious cake). The maps you trace help them discover the world. Everything you do directly impacts each child’s experience at King’s Wood.
When you volunteer for an Open House committee, you help bring in the next generation of learners; the efforts of the fundraising committee help us enrich our students’ learning at King’s Wood and improve our facilities. There are many ways to volunteer. Some parents contribute creative skills, while others assist with gardening, plant maintenance, or coordinating fundraising events.
Most of all, volunteering brings people together. Recently, three moms came in to help stuff envelopes for our Annual Alumni Fundraiser. As they worked, they talked about their families, their kids, favorite local restaurants, and the schools their children may go to for 1st grade when they graduate from King’s Wood. They got to know each other through these shared moments.
These connections go beyond the tasks at hand; they help families build lasting relationships and a stronger sense of community. King’s Wood parents are always welcome come over to work on tasks with friends, new and old. Yes, you can finish them at home too, but the doors to King’s Wood are always open, and the coffee is always fresh (hot or cold).
So come on over and put down deep roots, build a strong trunk, and grow beautiful flowers for generations to enjoy.