Hope Church Gets Oakdale Elementary's First Volunteer Award

Usually they're the ones doing the serving, but on Wednesday morning parent volunteers at were provided with breakfast by the school's faculty and staff.

For the first year, the school gave out an award to recognize individuals' or groups' long-term committment to volunteerism at the school

“Our volunteer breakfast is a small token of appreciation to all of the volunteers who make Oakdale a great place to learn and work,” Principal Peter Mau said in an email.

This year's winners were volunteers from Oakdale's for their volunteer project ServFest, where volunteers help clean up the school each August.

“It was really the amazing work this group has done over the years that brought about this award,” Mau said. “I want to do the same for them to recognize their extraordinary effort over the years.”

Debbie Spinks, co-chair of the Oakdale Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and ServFest volunteer, said teachers make to-do lists of things needed to be done and for that one day in August, volunteers complete those lists.

Volunteers have helped plant gardens, clean, sort materials, make bookshelves and make window coverings, Mau said.

“These are people dedicated to having a positive impact,” Mau said.

Spinks has been active as a volunteer at Oakdale Elementary School and as a ServFest volunteer. With two children attending the school, she said it is important that the kids see adults volunteering to make the school a better place.

“You set an example for the kids by doing things for others with a joyful heart,” Spinks said.

In order for a school to be successful, it is a community effort and the staff cannot do it alone, Mau said.

“We really mean it when we say we couldn’t do it without you,” Mau said.