These Eastern Iowa school volunteers ‘exemplify’ what it means to give back

CEDAR RAPIDS — Sylvia Peterson, a volunteer at Prairie Hill Elementary School, is one of the first to arrive each morning at 6:45 a.m.

For more than a decade, Peterson, 74, has volunteered full-time at the school, putting in more than eight hours each day, five days a week.

Many of the teachers consider her essential. She even has her own desk. She considers them family.

“Oh my gosh, I love the kids. I love them. If I can make a difference in one child’s life each day, that makes a difference for me. If they come in and just need a hug, I’m here for that,” Peterson said.

Peterson is one of 1,758 volunteers contributing to 15,125 hours served in the College Community School District during the 2024-25 school year, a value of $384,175, according to data provided by the district.

Before the pandemic, the district recorded about 804 volunteers logging more than 8,000 hours annually.

During the COVID-19 pandemic when schools reopened their doors for the 2020-21 school year, access to buildings was restricted. Active volunteers plummeted to just 53 people logging only 2,241 hours.

“We lost nearly 95 percent of our volunteer workforce,” said Emily Collins-Bronson, the College Community district’s volunteer coordinator.

The district, however, saw an “immediate surge” in volunteer hours during the 2022-23 school year, rising almost to pre-pandemic levels, Collins-Bronson said.

Since then, the district has made a “huge leap” in engaging volunteers, even doubling pre-pandemic numbers.

“This reflects a key change I’ve observed: people are more willing to sign up for short, flexible, defined tasks rather than committing to a routine, multi-hour weekly shift like they did pre-COVID. This shift demands different engagement strategies from my office,” Collins-Bronson said.

For the 2024-25 school year, the district began using Raptor, school safety software, to track volunteer hours. Collins-Bronson said this enabled volunteers to accurately log time for activities outside the regular school day.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District also uses Raptor, but the volunteer information available is only what occurs during the school day, district spokesperson Heather Butterfield said.

Volunteer hours have declined by more than 4,000 hours in the Cedar Rapids district over the last three years, according to the data provided.

Volunteer hours during the 2024-25 school year were 16,848 compared to 21,044 hours during the 2022-23 school year.

The hours recorded primarily are for elementary and middle schools, as high school volunteers tend to be after school hours or off-site, so they are not scanned in and out at buildings, Butterfield said.

Butterfield said capturing hours is not a priority of the Cedar Rapids district in Raptor. The priority is risk management and scanning visitors and volunteers against the National Sex Offender Registry. Volunteers also are required to complete a district volunteer application, which scans against the registry.

Why volunteer?

Peterson started volunteering in the College Community School District at Prairie Heights Elementary School when her grandson, now 21, was in second grade.

“I hope I can volunteer for as long as I’m healthy and able to,” Peterson said. “I can run circles around some of these kids — and adults.”

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After her husband died, she began volunteering full time. When Prairie Hill opened in 2014, she followed some staff members over to that school.

“It’s my give back,” Peterson said. “I work with the kids in the classrooms, but I help the teachers.”

Peterson helps teachers prepare classroom materials, keeps the school tidied and even decorates, especially for Veterans Day.

She also volunteers with Prairie Cares, a district initiative that collects and distributes food, clothing and hygiene items.

Last week, Peterson said a fourth grade student came to her asking for a coat. There wasn’t one available, so she went out and purchased one for the student.

“Yes, my funds are limited, but to me it’s important a child be warm and safe,” Peterson said.

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Volunteering in elementary schools has taught Peterson patience, she said. She strives to show love to the students even when they have tough days.

“I’m not afraid to go up and say, ‘How can I help you? How can I make things better?’ I don’t mind picking up chairs or whatever it is they’ve thrown when they have their fits,” Peterson said.

“We had one student who threw Legos everywhere. It was a disaster, and I said, ‘You know what? We’ll pick them up together.’ It took some coaxing, but I don’t mind doing things like that,” she said.

Katie Aarhus, a first-grade teacher at Prairie Hill, said there’s not a lot Peterson doesn’t do to help the school, students and staff.

“She’s here more than anyone else,” Aarhus said.

Aarhus said she doesn’t know what she would do without Peterson. “I’m afraid to find out,” she said.

“She keeps me organized. She loves working with the kids. When she sees a problem, she goes and helps. She always tries to reinforce the good things (students) are doing and makes school fun,” Aarhus said.

“We really count on her,” said Tammy McDermott, Prairie Hill building secretary.

The ‘best place in the world’ to volunteer

Jerry Smithey, 77, began volunteering two years ago in the College Community School District because it’s his district of residence. He spends two to three hours each weekday at Prairie Hill.

“The motivation for me was that I knew this was a place I could make a difference,” said Smithey, a former Juvenile Court officer and private investigator.

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One of the things Smithey is most passionate about is encouraging kids to read.

“It’s fundamental,” he said.

Smithey said everyone from the teachers, administrators and custodial staff at Prairie Hill are “extraordinary.”

“I never cease to be amazed how teachers maintain order in the classroom, have fun with the kids and do everything then can to ensure kids want to come back the next day,” Smithey said.

“I feel it’s the best place in the world to be volunteering,” he said.

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Volunteer jobs for every skill set

Peterson and Smithey “exemplify” what it means to be a volunteer, Collins-Bronson said. But not every volunteer needs to dedicate themselves to volunteering full- or part-time.

“Teachers need volunteers every single day,” Collins-Bronson said.

Collins-Bronson works to match volunteers with opportunities that match their skill sets and the amount of time they’re able to give.

“I make magic happen by matching someone with a teacher,” Collins-Bronon said. “It can go beyond the classroom. Maybe someone has a flair for art or music or loves organizing. Maybe they can help out with ticketing, getting students ready for performances and helping with makeup and hair. There are volunteer jobs for everyone.”

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