Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Wednesday, August 21, 2002 |
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Community volunteers help new schools
With furniture in place, newly waxed floors and books on the desks, two of Fayette's newest elementary schools were ready to greet parents and students on open house day thanks to the help of many community volunteers. During the week leading up to the start of school Aug. 12, Cleveland and Sara Harp Minter Elementary schools were inundated with volunteers from local church and civic groups eager to lend a hand to help their newest neighbors settle into their new home. "They have been a lifesaver. They got things done that we wondered how we would ever finish by ourselves. Our volunteers have truly been a blessing," said Jeanie Miller, principal of Cleveland. Thanks to the efforts of Second Wind, Inc., a nonprofit organization that puts volunteer groups and agencies in need of help together, approximately 60 community volunteers worked between the two schools helping staff and teachers unload boxes, sort through materials, stamp textbooks, create signs and mop and wax the floors. Working with Second Wind, church members from Grace Evangelical Church in Fayetteville sent volunteers to both schools to help with final finishing touches. Mike Stachura, who was in charge of coordinating Grace volunteers at Cleveland, says his church just wanted to give help where help was needed. "We love to serve and are just so thrilled that we could come out and help our new neighbors and community," he added. While community volunteers eagerly pitched in to help the schools, Fayette County Board of Education members also rolled up their sleeves to give a helping hand. Board member Marion Key and her husband, Jerry, spent an entire afternoon at Cleveland unpacking new school supplies and delivering them to teachers as well as unloading boxes of material at Minter and working in any capacity they were needed to help get the school ready for its new students. In addition, a number of parents also turned out to lend a helping hand. Among those who generously gave of their time or donated services to the schools include the Cleveland and Minter PTOs, Lisbon Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Youth Group and Chick-fil-A on Ga. Highway 85 south. Karrie Walker, a teacher at Sara Harp Minter, had two volunteers working in her room helping her cut and hang artwork on the walls as well as arrange the classroom and set up desks. She says she cannot begin to express what their help has meant to her. "I can't begin to tell how much help these volunteers have been. All I can say is that I would have been lost without them and I truly appreciate all the help they have so generously given," stated Walker.
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