Burgers and hot dogs were served last Wednesday evening at Rhodes Elementary School to school volunteers as a way of saying thanks for their help.
At around 6 p.m. April 8, the food was being put on the grill outside the school for the school’s annual volunteer barbecue. The food then would would be brought into the library, where volunteers would sit and eat. Students at the school created and designed placemats, banners and “thank you” cards, which were set on the tables.
Jim Prather, superintendent of Rhodes School, located in River Grove, said every year they do something like this for school staff and volunteers.
“They’re present for all of the holiday parties and different classroom activities,” he said. “They are priceless, absolutely essential.”
Nina White, a member of the Rhodes School Board, was at the event with her family. She’s president of the Rhodes Music Parent Association, which helps supplement art and musical education for students. She said the programs and events the students are involved in wouldn’t be done without the help of volunteers.
“We have parents who all through the year help out,” she said.
Veronica Diaz, of River Grove, started volunteering at the school 10 years ago when her daughter entered the school. Today, Diaz teaches as the school.
“I’ve been a room parent and part of PTA,” she said. “Then I started working here.”
Jennifer Sepulveda, of Melrose Park, has volunteered at the school for 15 years, mainly because her three sons attended the school.
“I have to make sure they and their friends have what they need to be successful,” she said. “It’s important that I know all of these kids.”