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Volunteer Voices: The Next Generation of Volunteers

By Carrie Tjernagel, Executive Director, Volunteer Center of Door County

Sunrise Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay is proud to facilitate monthly service projects for students in collaboration with the Volunteer Center of Door County. The goal of the Ambassador program is to develop a sense of goodwill with the wider community through active participation in a community service project. Each month, a different student from each classroom in third through fifth grades is nominated by their teacher to serve as a Sunrise School Ambassador in the community.

Sunrise Ambassadors helping at the Senior Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay. Submitted.

Sunrise Ambassadors helping at the Senior Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay. Submitted.

These students have demonstrated the Sunrise Way, which is to be safe, be respectful and be responsible. The group of about 15 students meets with the director of the Volunteer Center to select a project to share the Sunrise Way within our community. The students then choose a community service project and spend an afternoon assisting with needs of a local nonprofit. The groups also discuss what volunteering means to them, and the students learn ways they can volunteer in the community with their families, outside of the Ambassador program. These kids are very honored to be chosen as an Ambassador and take their role seriously.

This school year, students have learned about and assisted various groups. They visited the Senior Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay, where they helped serve lunch and clean up, and visited with those that were at the center that day. They also made cards for people who receive Meals on Wheels. Another Ambassador group learned about Lakeshore CAP and spent an afternoon at the Boys and Girls Club making posters for a school-wide food drive. The food drive was very successful, and the Ambassadors helped educate their classmates on the needs of this community.

Sunrise Ambassadors washing Sturgeon Bay Police vehicles. Submitted.

Sunrise Ambassadors washing Sturgeon Bay Police vehicles. Submitted.

Most recently, the Ambassadors went to the Sturgeon Bay Police Station and learned all about keeping our community safe. They were sworn in as “officers for a day” and received a tour of the police and fire stations. The Ambassadors then washed a couple squad cars.

The Ambassador group is available each month to help out with a project – if you belong to a group that could use the assistance of this next generation of volunteers, contact the Volunteer Center at 920.746.7704 to see if the Ambassadors can help you out. It is very important to teach our young people how volunteering helps a community and makes Door County such a great place to live.

 

To search for volunteer opportunities throughout Door County, visit the Volunteer Center’s website, volunteerdoorcounty.com, or call 920.746.7704.

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