Hundreds of volunteers in the Robbinsdale Area School District were treated like the VIPs they are as they were honored at the annual Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) appreciation breakfast May 3 at New Hope Church.
More than 400 volunteers through the district’s community volunteer program were invited, along with district administrators and community partners, to share in the 50s-style celebration.
Guests at the event were entertained by the Robbinsdale Cooper High School Chamber Singers and local Elvis impersonator Anthony Shore. Mayors Kathi Hemken of New Hope, Shep Harris of Golden Valley and Tim Willson of Brooklyn Center represented the mayors of the seven cities that Robbinsdale Area Schools serves, and thanked the volunteers for their valuable contributions that strengthen our communities.
Several local and national businesses generously provided financial support for this celebration.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Minnesota Commissioner of Education, who spoke about the importance of volunteering and of strong communities working together for the benefit of education. Superintendent Aldo Sicoli and Al Ickler, Executive Director of Community Education, also addressed the audience.
VIP links community members with volunteer opportunities by recruiting, training, and placing volunteers in service to learners, from pre-kindergarten through adult learning. Volunteers provide a valuable resource to the district’s schools through tutoring, assisting in classroom activities, providing vision and hearing screening, helping at special events, providing childcare, and assisting with literacy skill development. The program’s name reflects VIP’s commitment to building lasting partnerships with community members, schools, business and faith-based organizations.
(Information provided by a Robbinsdale School District press release.)
