Helping Hands: Allison Brush

Name: Allison Brush

Volunteer affiliation: Farragut Elementary head room parent, co-chair of teacher appreciation week and involvement in many other groups serving the Culver City School District.

How long have you been a volunteer? I have been a parent volunteer at my daughters' schools in Culver City for eight years. I began when my oldest started preschool at Happyland. I was on the silent auction committee and also helped in the classroom for both of my daughters. I have continued to volunteer at Farragut Elementary as a head room parent every year for both of my daughters.

I also help coordinate teacher appreciation breakfasts for all of the teachers and staff once a month, and co-chair teacher appreciation week, which includes a nice luncheon. I am on the committee for Farragut's fall festival and our honorary service award luncheon. I am also currently at Culver City Middle School and help oversee the student store, finding and scheduling other volunteer parents to work.

What needs does your chosen organization fill? Our children need parents to step up and help in their schools because the Culver City School District is strapped for funding. It is up to us to help our schools give our kids the best education they can get.

What is the most personally rewarding part of being a volunteer? The most rewarding part of being a volunteer is seeing how happy it makes my daughters feel. They love to see me at school volunteering. And because the teachers and support staff are always so appreciative, it gives me a good feeling inside and I feel satisfied with the work that I have contributed.

What is the city's most important issue? I think it has to be our budget cuts for our schools. We have wonderful schools, great teachers and support staff. They can't keep cutting the education budget because the future depends on the education of our kids.

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