4/21/05

Holly Springs “Grandparents” Recognized as Part of National Volunteer Week

As part of National Volunteer Week, at the April 19 Town Council meeting Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears issued a proclamation acknowledging the value of local volunteers. Sears urged all citizens to recognize, appreciate and support volunteers.

Accepting the proclamation were Holly Springs volunteers Helen Bonet, Ester Geurin and Eva Miller. Each volunteers 20 hours a week with the Parks & Recreation Department after-school and summer camp programs, and each has come to be known as “grandparents” by the children in the programs.

“They help the children with their homework, assist with first-aid if needed and give old-fashioned tender loving care,” Sears said. “There are a lot of other volunteers who do a lot for the town who aren't here tonight. Keep up the good work.”

All three volunteers recognized at the meeting said they chose to volunteer with the after-school and summer camp programs because they enjoyed helping children. And, through volunteering, they said their lives were improved.

“Ever since I was a young child, I always enjoyed children,” Miller said. “There's just a fulfillment I get from (volunteering).”

“I like being able to help children and mainly give them a lot of TLC,” Geurin said. “Also, volunteering gets me out of the house and on a routine.”

“As a retired professional, I can receive all kids on different levels,” said Bonet, who volunteers in the Hunt Center library. “After having children, it's really great to find these kids on different levels.”

Parks & Recreation Leisure Programs Manager Marcia Schroer, who oversees the after-school and summer camp programs, said she greatly appreciates the help she receives from the volunteers.

“They work here as volunteers, and the town benefits by gaining 60 hours a week of prime experience with children and with people,” she said. “These ladies are here out of the love of their hearts, not for any personal gain. When you have a grandparent in the room with the children, the children seem calmer, and the room feels a whole lot more like home than it would be if there was just paid staff.”

National Volunteer Week was established as an annual celebration by President Richard M. Nixon in 1974.

Volunteers Eva Miller, Helen Bonet and Ester Geurin take center stage at the Town Council meeting as Councilman Hank Dickson reads the National Volunteer Week Proclamation. In the background, Parks & Recreation Leisure Programs Manager Marcia Schroer and Councilman Ernie Pearson look on.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us