SBLI Superstar Volunteers
Celebrating Volunteers at Schools Nationwide



We know how important a role school volunteers play in making schools better and helping students succeed. Volunteer work often gets little attention, but it has such an important impact. PTO Today and SBLI have teamed up to celebrate school and parent group volunteers from across the country. We profile a new Superstar Volunteer every two weeks. SBLI will donate $500 to the school of each volunteer we profile. Nominate a volunteer or learn more.

Shawna Crist

Shawna Crist, Niceville, Fla.

Whether she’s painting flowerpots or sorting recyclables, Shawna Crist has one goal: to leave Plew Elementary a better place for future students. Her biggest project to date is leading the school in recycling more than a million cans and bottles.
Read full story

 

Judith Wencel

Judith Wencel, Wichita, Kan.

Thanks to Judith Wencel, hundreds of struggling middle school students meet each week with community volunteers who help with homework and serve as mentors.

Read more about Judith

 

Audrey Covello

Audrey Covello, Schererville, Ind.

Kids have a lot of energy. When Audrey Covello volunteers at school and sees students who are excited about learning, she can’t help but feel energized, too.

Read more about Audrey

 

Ed Bala

Ed Bala, Fayetteville, N.C.

On most days, you can find Ed Bala at school. But while one day he might wear a crazy costume to greet students, another day he’ll be all business, teaching the chess club how to checkmate.

Read more about Ed

 

Lynne Millar

Lynne Millar, Tracy, Calif.

Disappointed that her children’s school did not offer art education, Lynne Millar started teaching kids about Monet and the Mona Lisa, as well as helping them create their own works of art.

Read more about Lynne

 

Cathi Knickrehm

Cathi Knickrehm, Oak Park, Ill.

Cathi Knickrehm had a simple idea: to improve the grounds of her children’s school. Before long that grew into a grand project, an organic garden that would double as an outdoor classroom.

Read more about Cathi

 

Gary Parkes

Gary Parkes, Woodstock, Ga.

When he’s not at work as a mortgage broker or an independent marketing consultant, Gary Parkes is likely to be volunteering at Carmel Elementary or working the phones on the school’s behalf.

Read more about Gary

 

Jeanette Tanafranca

Jeanette Tanafranca, Troy, Mich.

Parents aren’t very likely to help at school if they don’t feel at home there. That’s why Jeanette Tanafranca helped launch school coffee klatches for parents who speak English as a second language.

Read more about Jeanette

 

Joanna Bradshaw

Joanna Bradshaw, Fort Meade, Md.

When Joanna Bradshaw sees a need, she does something about it. After learning about self-esteem problems among young girls, she created a mentoring program with local Air Force women. Now, she’s busy recruiting middle school parents to volunteer.

Read more about Joanna

 

Sunnie Robles-Schmidt

Sunnie Robles-Schmidt, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Not long ago, Sunnie Robles-Schmidt’s schedule didn’t allow her to volunteer at school. Now she’s making up for lost time, volunteering every Wednesday in her daughter’s 2nd grade class and pitching in for the PTA.

Read more about Sunnie

 
 

Superstar Volunteers

SBLI Superstar Volunteers

Win $500 for
Your School!


Know a parent volunteer at your school who goes above and beyond? Share their story with us and they just might become our next Superstar Volunteer! Each featured Superstar Volunteer will receive a $500 donation from SBLI for their school.