Brooke Garcia, of Niles, is a stay-at-home mom who volunteers with Eastside Connections School.

How did you get involved with volunteering at the schools?

There are so many hours you have to volunteer to have your child attend Eastside. But I am also at home and bored during the day. My daughter (Paige) is getting older so I cannot volunteer in her class as much, but I help a couple of teachers. If any other teachers want my help I am more than willing to lend a hand to them.

How long have you been volunteering?

Since my daughter was in Early Fives at Northside. I helped through her Ballard years, and now I am helping here at Eastside when she transferred over here in fifth grade. I have been volunteering for nine years total.

How do you help out?

I help copy papers and with grading.

What do you like most about volunteering?

Seeing the friendly faces of the kids. They melt my heart. They see me almost every day, so they think I work here. The kids are who I do it for.

What do you do to make an impact on a student’s life?

A hug for a kid sometimes goes a long ways. Sometimes they don’t have that at their home. I’m here to talk if they feel like they need to speak with somebody. I feel I made an impact with the kids, and even the teachers’ lives here. There is a friendly atmosphere at all the schools I have volunteered at.

What is the biggest thing you get out of volunteering?

It makes me smile to come to school every day and help out a kid or one of the teachers.

Do you think it is important for parents to get involved with volunteering at their children’s school?

Of course. Me being involved, I know everything that is going on in my daughter’s classroom. If there is any kind of problem, teachers are able to come talk with me right away. It is easier to communicate with teachers if you are involved more. I feel a lot of volunteering is good for the heart, too.

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as the Volunteer of the Week by calling the newsroom at (269) 687-7713, or emailing news@leaderpub.com