Kent, WA — For Kim Wells, vice-president (VP) of the Kent Area PTA Council, volunteering isn’t just an act of service—it’s a way to build community, support students, and ensure every child feels seen. As Public School Volunteer Week shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of education, Wells’ story—and the voices of Kent’s student volunteers—remind us how small actions create big impacts.
Wells’ dedication began when her children entered elementary school, where she first served on her school’s local PTA board. Now, as VP of the Kent Area PTA Council, she supports local PTAs districtwide and oversees such programs as the Clothing Bank (serving 20-40 families twice monthly) and champions the Cinderella Project, which provided prom and homecoming attire to 400 students so far this year.
Kim has also grown the Reflections Art Contest, a national PTA program celebrating student creativity. Under her leadership, participation skyrocketed from 31 entries in 2022 to 71 this year, with three Kent students advancing to state. “We must continue to support the need for art to be a part of our education,” Kim said. An event celebrating all the artists was held at Kentwood Commons this year. “Kids love to be recognized,” Kim said.
For Wells, volunteering bridges gaps in funding and staffing. This year, classroom grants funded fidget tools and flexible seating. Art docent programs bring creativity into the schools, and the clothing bank nights offer practical, tangible support for families. The real magic for Kim is in human connection. “My hope with volunteerism is that we’re a positive interaction with a student or groups of students. Even just reading a book with a kid can change their day.”
Kent School District’s youth are also leading the charge. Members of the Kentwood Honor Society reflected on their experiences at Covington Elementary’s Multicultural Night.
· Tila: “To me, volunteering is a small yet meaningful way I can add to my community and create lasting memories with the new people I meet. Volunteering at the Covington Multicultural Night was a really fun experience—I’m glad I got to share a different culture with the kids while also learning new things myself.”
· Vy: “So what volunteering is to me is building a connection with the community through simple acts of service. Being a part of the Covington Elementary Schools multi-cultural night was an honor and reminded me how powerful it is when people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate and learn.”
· Jizelle: “Volunteering is such a great opportunity for me to not only learn about different cultures but also get to know the kids. I loved to see how excited they were when they were playing the activities and games. I feel like having us older kids as volunteers has also taught me how to be a good role model and influence on others.”
Kim encourages members of the community to get involved in their schools. “We need more people to take some time to be active our schools. Bring your own area of expertise—kids love to hear about different careers.” When mentoring, organizing events, or donating supplies, every effort counts.