We Love Our Volunteers: Volunteering Recognized by Flagler School Board

April is a big month for volunteering in Flagler County!

Suzy Gamblain, Executive Director of Flagler Volunteer Services, read a proclamation at the March 25th School Board meeting that recognized three events: April as Florida Volunteer Month, April 2nd as National Service Recognition Day, and April 21-25 as National Public School Volunteer Week. 

“Volunteers address the most pressing challenges facing our schools, our cities, counties, and our nation,” said Ms. Gamblain, “from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters.”

Flagler County has an active volunteer base. The 1,681 active Flagler Volunteer Services’ volunteers reported serving 13,175 hours in 2024. At minimum wage, the value is $1,341,275 to the community, according to Ms. Gamblain.

“That’s just for the hours that they reported,” she added. “Many do things they don’t report. Our agency has a long history of working hand-in-hand with Flagler County Schools.”

Within the past year, Gamblain noted that 76 volunteers participated in the Reading Pal Program that serves students from Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) through third grade. This reading program helped 177 students hone their literacy skills. During the holiday season, The Giving Store Program’s 105 volunteers allowed 347 Flagler Schools students to select gifts for their family members.

Additionally, volunteers served as teachers’ aides, in Emergency Management exercises at schools, and at Rymfire Elementary School’s special needs shelter during Hurricane Milton. 

“Our volunteers are doing amazing things in our community and in our school district,” she said. 

If you would like to volunteer at Flagler Schools, there are many different ways to make a difference! Join field trips, help with book fairs and field days, or work with students as tutors, readers, and mentors. 

Visit the “Volunteering” page on the Flagler Schools website to learn more and to complete a volunteer application. 

Volunteering at Flagler Schools

For more information about the other Flagler Volunteer Services’ programs that are available in Flagler County, please visit the Flagler Volunteer Services website.