Nicole K Hart (NKH) saw her volunteer opportunity as more than just a school field trip. It was a chance to create special moments with her children and help give other students a day to remember.
AC: What organization or local cause did you volunteer for?
NKH: My kids had a field trip to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
AC: Can you please provide an overview of their mission?
NKH: Clinton Elementary PTO was able to take the entire school to the Zoo this year. All the kids loved it!
AC: Was this your first time volunteering for this organization or cause? Please elaborate.
NKH: This was the first time this year, but in previous years, I have volunteered for other events they have needed help with.
AC: Where there any requirements for this type of volunteerism?
NKH: The requirements of this were that all parents had to be fingerprinted by the school district.
AC: Why did you choose to volunteer here for your Day of Giving?
NKH: The main reason I chose to volunteer was to spend quality time with my kids on such a huge trip. It meant a lot for me to take a day off from work to be with them.
AC: Can you tell us about your volunteer experience? What did you do? Did your time volunteering meet your expectations?
NKH: The weather was beautiful. We were able to see as many of the animals as possible in the amount of time we had. The kids enjoyed getting to ride the bus for “one whole hour” there and back. They also enjoyed getting to eat lunch at the zoo.
AC: What would you like to share to encourage others to volunteer their time and energy locally?
NKH: I would encourage others to volunteer with their kids’ schools when possible. A lot of the events and school functions are not possible without volunteers. Which would not happen, and the kids would be upset to not enjoy such wonderful experiences.
AC: Is there anything else that you would like to share about your experience?
NKH: I would absolutely do it again!
Nicole’s experience highlights how school events rely on volunteers to bring joy and enrichment to students’ lives. Her story shows how one day of giving can lead to lifelong memories.
✨ Read more inspiring volunteer experiences here – Inspiring Forward