No matter how busy your schedule, volunteering is a great way to give back in a simple way. Find out about my duties as the PTC President and how Reward Volunteers makes it easy to clock your hours spent… and even get rewarded!

This post is a collaboration with Reward Volunteers. I am happy to share this awesome program, and (as always) all opinions are my own!

When my twins, now in third grade, were starting kindergarten, I knew I wanted to help out at the school however I could. Gabby was just 3 years old, but I figured there could be simple ways I could help. At Christmas time, there was a Santa’s Shop and I jumped at the chance to volunteer.

Helping Gabby at our Boosterthon last fall, just 5 weeks after Liam was born![/caption]

The PTC is our school’s parent/teacher group. At the time, the previous leader was having a baby and ready to stop her duties. Another kindergarten parent and I blindly took the reigns. We had a binder with some guidelines to follow, but we really didn’t know how events were run or what to expect at all!

During that first year, we learned a lot: how to collect Box Tops and run a Sweetheart Dance, running the carnival and more. Things had been run the same way for years, so we took the opportunity to change a few things for the better. In 2016, I took over as the President, and it has been a rewarding and challenging experience all at once!

 

As the President, I am in charge of running the fundraisers, collecting Box Tops, organizing events like movie nights or the Santa’s Shop and more. As a busy mom of 4, it can be hard to do everything alone and help from other volunteers is necessary.

One of my favorite events to plan is our spring meeting when we help out a local organization Kids Food Basket with the school’s student council.  Beforehand, we have each classroom collect certain items, such as Cheerios, raisins and pretzels, then we make little snack bags to be sent home in student’s backpacks. It’s such a fun hands-on event, and it benefits people in our own neighborhoods!

I also love to grab items for the teachers from their classroom wish lists from pencils to laminating papers. I know how expensive these items can get, so we use Box Top money to help replenish the classrooms. As an active volunteer at the school, I see first hand how hard the teachers work. It goes way beyond simply educating the children, they’re there to emotionally support the kids, plus keep the classroom calm and collected. Since I can barely keep peace at home with my four kids, I know they’re miracle workers!

Most of the volunteer work can be done from home, which is helpful since I have an 8-month old. It’s also beneficial that I’m such a bargain shopper–I know how to get more for our organization’s money! In the fall, when school supplies are cheap I stock up for later in the year. I also use Amazon Prime, which is much cheaper for bulk items for the carnival or dances.

During conference time, the PTC hosts a teachers luncheon with a meal to help them during their long conference day. I like to make slow-cooker food, so they can enjoy it when they have time for breaks.

Since this is National Volunteer month, I thought I would share an awesome program I just discovered:. Once you set up a (FREE) account, you can log your volunteer hours and then win prizes. It’s a great way to keep track of all of the good juju you’re putting out there. I truly believe in karma!

If you don’t already have an organization to volunteer for, the site lists options available in your area! You can record your volunteer hours up to 1 week past when you’ve logged in time. If you can’t find your organization, there are ways to add it. I am really enjoying how simple the site is to use!

Where do you volunteer your time? Any tips for us?