Door Creek Church has adopted Schenk Elementary School on Madison’s East Side, committing to support its students and teachers materially, financially, and most importantly, with our time and energy. The needs at Schenk Elementary are great, and the exciting possibilities for Door Creek’s partnership are endless. Schenk is located in a neighborhood that is rapidly changing from predominantly middle-income to mostly lower-income. At the same time that schools across Madison have faced budget cuts, Schenk’s enrollment has increased dramatically, presenting special challenges to the teaching and administrative staff.
I had the opportunity to interview Lynn Smith, the Schenk volunteer coordinator for Door Creek Church.
Tell me about yourself
Our family has lived in Madison for 15 years. I have been married to Ed for 28 years and we have a daughter, Audrey, who is 18 years old. We have been attending Door Creek Church for approximately 9 months.
What opportunities exist at Schenk?
There are numerous opportunities at Schenk. The most important aspect about volunteering at Schenk is just having time to spend with the children and, often, giving them individual attention. Here are a few serving opportunities:
Tutor a student; mentor a student; help re-shelve books; help supervise the lunchroom; help supervise recess; work with native Spanish speakers as a tutor or mentor; help with yard work; or assist in a classroom. Those who cannot donate their time can participate in church organized events such as the Book Drive or the Warm Clothing Drive that is coming up this Fall.
What motivates you to get involved?
As Christians, we are called to help others and get involved in our community. I was raised to not always look to other people to fix a problem. There is a story about my father that illustrates the attitude he expected of my sisters and me. When he was in his 20’s, he was driving with his mother down a rural road and he hit a large pothole, causing his mother to hit her head. When my father got home, he immediately loaded a shovel in the car and went to fix that pothole himself so others would not get hurt. He had the attitude that if something needed fixing and you could fix it, then fix it. That type of attitude has been important to my family and me.
What led you to volunteer to lead the Schenk outreach?
The first time that I attended Door Creek Church there was a Ministry Fair in November 2006. I immediately signed up to get involved at Schenk Elementary School. Though I chose a different career, I do come from a family of teachers — so volunteering at Schenk seemed like a natural fit. I had always volunteered at my daughter’s schools throughout her academic career, and now that she is in high school, I wanted to get involved in the elementary school again to help the younger children.
Who can serve at Schenk?
Anyone can serve at Schenk Elementary School. Volunteering at Schenk would be an excellent service opportunity for small groups, students, families, retirees, or any Door Creek member.
What advice do you have for others who want to get involved in an Outreach Ministry?
If you don’t know where to start, just get involved in any ministry. The best thing, though, is to find a ministry that you will enjoy and can be passionate about. If there is a problem that really tugs at your heart or if there is something you see that needs “fixing”, then that is probably the place to start. You usually do not need any special gifts or abilities, just a willing heart to help others in your community.
What have you learned from volunteering at Schenk?It has been an incredibly rewarding and joyful experience to share time with the children. Volunteers can and do make a difference.
– Door Creek Church Community Outreach Newsletter