Purpose: To honor an individual who goes above and beyond what is normally expected.

Description: A Helping Hands lapel pin

Approximate Cost: $6 each

Eligibility: Any adult who helps the school in this manner

Presentation: The Helping Hands Volunteer Award is presented by a student involved in an activity for which the person is being recognized, for example, a team member presents the volunteer award to a coach. Teacher appreciation awards are presented in front of their classes. Support staff awards are presented in front of a supervisor or a school assembly. Parent and community member volunteer awards are presented in front of any regular weekly school assembly or Board meeting. The presenter says to the recipient, “The students are honored by the time you give and the talent you share. Thank you for caring.”

Observations: Keep a spiral-bound book with a cover in school colors listing the date, pin number, recipient, and reason for each Helping Hands volunteer award presentation. Ask the honorees to wear the pin when they come to school to show the importance of many different people being on the same team in helping the school. An individual only receives one  Helping Hands Volunteer Award. If at a later date he or she makes an additional noteworthy contribution, he or she is given a star volunteer award in the form of a card to accompany the pin and a record of each star volunteer award is kept in the employee’s recognition record.