How Businesses and Volunteers Help Schools

Businesses can donate money and support local schools with some free workers. Donating time and money are two great ways local business owners can support their local school students.

There's a saying that "it takes a whole village to raise a child," so it really is appropriate in today's economic climate. It's often thought that only parents of the children who attend a local school can be supportive, but non parents can also play an important role as well.

There are many adults in a community, who have the knowledge,skills and resources to help students in and out of the school system.

As I previously stated, business owners can lend their much needed financial support, since public schools all over the country are experiencing cut backs and teacher reductions.

Local restaurants, and grocers may be able to help by donating workers or food to the local schools for financially needy students. Breakfast, morning snacks and after school snacks are always welcomed.

Today, with the gas prices soaring and putting strains on schools systems and individual households, gas companies may be able to help parents and teachers by reducing prices one day a week. Also volunteer parents can form "taxis" groups to save on gas, transporting the children to and from school.

A donation of school supplies,such as pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, small equipment and in some cases,computers,are in dire need. I've seen local companies donate playgrounds and play equipment to local schools also. A nearby playground was torched recently by vandals and the children were ,of course,devastated.

The PTA and others raised funds for new equipment. many of these people were not parents of any the children but they felt that they could have a positive effect by making a contribution.

Local businesses can donate their time and expertise each week by teaching a vocational class,such as cooking, remodeling, electrician or plumbing. Also tech support such as computer repair, computer set up,website coding, and building.

Businesses can and do get tax write-offs for donations so this can help two ways.

School budgets are strapped for cash even more than ever so getting people to come work for free is such an asset. After some training, local volunteers can assist greatly in classrooms, playgrounds, and in before and after school programs.

Volunteers can also come into the school system to help before school officially starts in the morning, and after school ends, to watch, the children, whose parents have jobs and responsibilities and cannot get to the school or be home when school lets out. Many volunteers,such as Foster Grandparents, work one on one with children who need more attention in academic as well as social needs.

Older students can read stories to younger children, and student teachers often need to get experience, so schools will utilize their skills.

Individuals who have talents can come to the schools and teach a classes for free.I worked for a public charter school and parents and non parents would teach different classes to help fill the curriculum.The students loved it and they got a chance to learn something not normally taught.

High schools often have local business people come in for "Career Day". Now, with tighter budgets, local business people could "teach" a class once a week and also have students "try out" a future career after school, in their shop or vocations.

"It takes a whole village to raise a child," so don't be shy to call up your local school and see what they need.

Business should help support local schools with their money and time. This insures the future of these students as well as everyone in the community. They become productive citizens that have job skills that will translate into future home owners, tax payers and employers.

Since businesses can write off these donations and free assistance,it's a win-win for the kids and them. Maybe they think that they pay enough in taxes they have already done their part. The future generations are at risk if everyone doesn't pitch in.

Other non parents can have just as much an impact on the local schools and their students. Older students can help younger students with reading and homework. They can be role models for behavior as well as school achievement.

Senior volunteers can help before and after school and in the classroom. They can take up the slack when there isn't the money to hire aides or cafeteria workers. Just because you don't have children or any old enough to attend school, doesn't mean you don't have a role to play.

There are many talented, generous people in the community that can help make their own neighborhood school a little better. Join a PTA, volunteer in a classroom or playground, teach a weekly class, or donate some supplies. All these extra people helping out and working for free greatly helps out financially strapped school districts. Don't hesitate to help!

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