Letter: Volunteers can make a difference

Volunteers can benefit from serving just as much as those they help to support. The same is true for volunteer managers. I should know. I was privileged to supervise volunteer programming in the Cedar Rapids schools for 16 years and in my role I was inspired (and awed) daily by the many and varied ways our community members enrich the educational experience of young learners.

Volunteers are critical to schools - as mentors, classroom assistants, work-based learning hosts, Booster Club and PTA leaders, and advisory committee members. Whether you volunteer for a special event or on a weekly or even daily basis, your dedication and contribution of time and talent makes a difference.

Thank you to every parent, community member, student, retiree, and business partner who generously stepped forward over the past 16 years. Thanks to your commitment, the education of thousands of students was positively impacted. You left an imprint on the hearts of many, including mine.

Marcia Hughes

Cedar Rapids