National Volunteer Week Honoree–Georgia Flarsheim

Georgia Flarsheim volunteers for Paducah Middle School and prior to the school opening in August, she worked with the interview committees, helping to interview over 30 prospective teachers. She wrote and received a grant totaling $250 to obtain funding to purchase supplies for school bulletin boards, printing cost and to purchase badges for our visitor's desk. She developed and coordinated a schedule for our volunteers at our visitor's desk. When parents; schedules didn't fit with school schedules, she found ways to utilize his/her abilities from bringing food to sending materials home for parents to help with cutting and gluing items for the bulletin board. She made sure everyone knew how important each volunteer job was, no matter how large or small.

Not long after school started, Georgia noticed and was unhappy with the teachers’ lounge. She enlisted a few parents' help and cleaned cabinets, furniture, and closets. While cleaning and updating the lounge, she discovered the age and condition of the present coffeemaker and purchased the school another coffee and tea pot. She has continued to maintain the coffee, tea and hot chocolate self-service area for the enjoyment of all.

During the very busy holidays Georgia coordinated and decorated for our faculty Christmas Breakfast. She volunteers to help with the students' drama and musical departments programs. Over the winter holiday, Georgia called to see if she could enter the building and work on the bulletin boards.

She helps chaperone when we have rewards programs for our students. She has been instrumental in creating and maintaining current bulletin boards information throughout the school. Our bulletin boards help promote school spirit and showcase programs and students in our building.

When our attendance clerk was on sick leave Georgia volunteered to assist with attendance issues and made the copies for the teachers for the entire month.

At the school alone, Georgia has dedicated more than 3,000 volunteer service hours since August 2005. However, her service and talent reach far beyond our school. She volunteers at PTHS working at the receptionist desk and the PTHS Speech Christmas holiday. She is a foster parent for abandoned puppies for the McCracken County Humane Society. It is truly amazing the time, effort and concern Georgia places in our school, our students, and our community. She is the perfect volunteer. She is always willing to help, but is never intrusive to any part of the learning environment.