The Rookery

For many years, the Herons (and before them, the Elms) thanked people who had helped us with a simple "Thank you song."  The song is so simple it can sometimes seem a little silly (its only words are "la" and "thanks") and yet every person we've sung it to has smiled and laughed, delighted by the attention.  (Gao Hong even tried to videotape us singing it with hilarious results — just ask your Heron).

The song is part of teaching the Herons the value of gratitude.  When they see a volunteer's reaction, they learn the power of acknowledging someone who helps you.

So many people support Prairie Creek in so many ways:  lunch serving, library, ILEO, book clubs, event support, cooking, conference meals, book in a bag, Makers, board service, Community Connections, grounds/garden clean up, classroom volunteering, village work, picture days, vision/hearing screening, office help…the list goes on.

And, one of the things I most cherish about Prairie Creek is not the formal volunteerism but the informal willingness to step up and help.  After any event, the chairs disappear back into the P.E. closet, the kitchen is cleaned, trash is taken out, floors swept.  And during events, folks do whatever needs to be done – serve popcorn, make copies, find extra scissors for the child who is running a booth and has more customers than she was planning on.  Whatever needs to be done gets done without fanfare and far too often, without credit.

That's why I hope you'll join us this Wednesday morning to be appreciated.  We'll have breakfast, the orchestra will play, and you'll have a chance to visit with other volunteers.  Drs. Richardson and Hillman (our authorizers) will be visiting then, too (it's part of their annual visit to the school).  They'd love to talk with you and learn why you choose to contribute to the school.  Please come – you really are appreciated and, while I know you don't volunteer because of the accolades you receive, sometimes its nice to have the school "sing" you the equivalent of our "La, La" song.  Come.