Governor Mike Huckabee has proclaimed September as “Arkansas Volunteer Month.” This service is very evident in the volunteers that give of themselves at Dover Intermediate School.
Sherry Anders, Director of the DHS Division of Volunteerism, explains, “Arkansas volunteers contribute abilities and resourses to provide services and problem-solving skills to people and communities throughout the Natural State. These volunteers constitute Arkansas’ most precious natural resource. It’s spirit of helping one another that we hope to promote, and it is those who have demonstrated this spirit that we want to recognize this month.”
Shelia Williams and Bettye Barton of Dover are two of the local volunteers who gave generously of their time last year. Through their efforts, teachers at Dover Intermediate School had more time to spend with their students. “The volunteers reduce the teachers’ clerical work and work outside of the classroom,” said Sharlet Lock, school counselor.
Williams has been volunteering at the schools for six years. Last year she came in once a week and filed papers for Mrs. Lee. Her doing this tedious job gave Mrs. Lee more time with her students and more after-school preparation time. “I enjoyed seeing the daily flow of events at the school. I felt more informed on what my child was doing,” said Williams. “Mrs. Barton would spend hours at the copy machine. She would stay until the job was done,” said Lock. “She also gave of her talents by volunteering to accompany music students on the piano.”
Last year alone, Dover Intermediate School had 15 different people who volunteered at the school. Lock added that anyone in the community is welcome to call or come by the school and give of their time. She added that volunteers do not necessarily have to be parents. Grandparents are welcome, as well as other members of the community.
The staff of Dover Intermediate School would like to thank their volunteers for all their efforts.
