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Volunteers with big hearts support classrooms and programs across the district

An elderly woman with gray hair is sitting at a table with a young girl with dark hair, both smiling and engaged in conversation in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting.

Reading Pal volunteer Morgan Riley with elementary student

The image features a colorful word cloud in the shape of a heart, with various expressions of gratitude and appreciation such as %22thank you%22, %22danke%22, %22gracias%22, and others displayed in different languages. The background is a solid navy blue color.
A person in a plaid jacket is assisting another person in aiming a bow and arrow on a grassy field, with various vehicles parked in the background.

Roosevelt volunteer Sam Dang helps fourth graders learn archery skills every spring as part of a study in "transfer of energy" with Roosevelt teacher Jennifer Hanley

The image shows a group of children playing together in what appears to be a classroom or indoor play area, with a basketball hoop visible in the background. In the other image, two young girls are embracing each other outdoors, with a basketball court and other outdoor equipment visible behind them.

Western student Avery Marsall reads to students in the Birchwood Promise K classroom and is an extra pair of hands during recess

A group of people, including two adults and two children, are interacting with a friendly dog in what appears to be a library or similar indoor setting, with bookshelves and other furnishings visible in the background.

Volunteer Judy Zeidel and her labradoodle Elio visits Cordata Elementary

The image shows two people, a woman and a man, standing in what appears to be an indoor setting with plants and other decorations in the background.

Sheila Kluck volunteers in the learning center at Squalicum High tutoring students

A group of people, likely students, standing and conversing outside a large, red-colored building with a distinctive architectural design.

Carlo Furlan, a volunteer from the nearby Hillcrest Church, helps out at recess at Happy Valley Elementary School

Two students are sitting at a table in a library, intently focused on a book or document they are examining together.

Western student Caden Mesdag tutors and mentors high school students in the learning center at Squalicum.

The image shows two women, one older with glasses and one younger, sitting together in what appears to be a classroom or library setting, with bookshelves and other educational materials visible in the background.

Volunteer Joan Hogen reads one on one with an elementary student as part of the Reading Pals program

The image shows a colorful playground with various play structures, including a large yellow slide, surrounded by people on bicycles and wearing rain gear on a rainy day.

Parent volunteer Lauren Bunke assists on the Sunnyland playground during the bike unit in Physical Education class

  • Great Teaching with Strong Support
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Volunteers with big hearts support classrooms and programs across the district

April 19 to 25 is National Volunteer Week 2026!  Be sure to thank a volunteer this week when you run across one.

In Bellingham Public Schools, we have nearly 5600 volunteers who are supporting our schools in a multitude of ways including in classrooms, on playgrounds, and during after school programming and field trips. 

Forty volunteers in the Reading Pals program provide literacy support one-on-one within our elementary schools. Their service is invaluable for building confidence and reading skills.

More than 500 Western Washington University students go into our schools to tutor and mentor in high school learning centers and to share their skills and energy in afterschool enrichment.

Hundreds of parent volunteers show up when extra hands are needed for classroom projects and school events. Volunteers to the athletics programs assist with the team needs.

In all corners of our district, community, parent and college volunteers with big hearts help our students learn and grow. Their service is invaluable.

 

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