Officials for Lee County Public Schools have announced that during the 2009/10 school year, more than 22,000 school volunteers of all ages contributed more than 744,000 hours of outstanding volunteer service to District students.

School District spokesman Joe Donzelli said that school volunteers are extra-special people who are committed to making schools the very best they can be. He said they are parents, business and community partners, seniors and youth all of whom enrich student’s curriculum, provide individualized learning assistance and enhance all aspects of the educational process.

Volunteer duties include, but are not limited to: instructional-related tasks in the classroom; clerical assignments in the office or media center; special school projects and mentoring; service on various District and school committees, booster and others clubs; and fundraising and chaperoning class trips, he said.

School volunteers have become essential members of the school community and, through their dedication, touch the lives of students every day. Lee County Schools value and appreciate their volunteers and know that they truly make a difference in the quality of our schools and the greater community, Donzelli said.

“Very simply put, without volunteers our schools would not be able to do all that they do for students,” said Dr. James Browder, superintendent of schools. “These individuals are truly special and have put others above themselves and their contributions to our schools and students are priceless.”

Every school needs volunteers and the District is always recruiting those interested in making a difference in public education. Once someone who is interested in becoming a school volunteer selects a school, they can obtain more information by visiting the District Web site (www.leeschools.net). Simply click on the For Community tab on the left-hand side of the main page; then click on Volunteer Services under the Information heading.

To become a volunteer, an application and background screening must be completed prior to approval. Upon approval, applicants complete an orientation and/or training and then they are matched with a volunteer opportunity.

The statistics showed that more than 22,000 individuals volunteered their time in Lee County’s public schools and contributed approximately 744,232 hours.

“If you took the amount of hours and used the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s information, the hourly value for that volunteer time is $20.85/hr. Do some quick math and you can see our volunteers provided more than $15.5 million in volunteer time in District schools,” Donzelli said.