Volunteers at Banfield Elementary School were honored Tuesday morning when Mayor Tom Stiehm issued a proclamation recognizing Tuesday as National Service Recognition Day.

“Therefore be it resolved that I, Tom Stiem, mayor of Austin, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim April 5, 2016, as national service recognition day,” Stiehm finished in the proclamation. “I encourage residents to recognize the positive impact of national service of our county, and thank those who serve and find ways to give back to their community.”

Stiehm joined more than 2,800 county officials and mayors across the country in a nationwide bipartisan initiative to highlight the impact of national service in tackling local problems. He issued the proclamation and recognized the impact of national service in Austin and Mower County, and thanked the volunteers who serve through RSVP.

Ten seniors who have volunteered their time through Senior Corps., Common Good Retired Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, were recognized at Banfield for their help in classrooms for one hour every Tuesday since the beginning of the school year.

“A volunteer is somebody that comes in and gives up his or her time because two things: They enjoy doing it and they like working with kids,” Principal Jeff Roland said to the students assembled for the proclamation. “We’re fortunate to have a great group of individuals come to Banfield on a regular basis and be volunteers in our school and work with kids. And I think in seeing them with you, I think they have as much fun during the day as the kids do.”

Roland said the students get a big impact out of the volunteers’ presence.

“To say thank you to the volunteers is not enough, but do know it’s secondary what you do with [the students], it’s primary that you’re here for them,” Roland addressed the volunteers. “It’s really important to them and it means a lot to them, as I hear talk in the playground or in the lunch line, especially on those off chances that you’re not here, oh my gosh.”

Common Good RSVP focuses on retired individuals ages 55 and older who volunteer their time to help students with reading, writing, math and other basic skills during class.

Gema Alvarado, a success coach at Banfield, said the program has been successful at the school.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact of the program for both our volunteers and also for our students,” she said.

She addressed the volunteers, saying they may never understand the impact they have on students’ lives.

“You may never know the profound effect that you have made on our students’ lives. A kind word or a listening ear can mean so much to our students, especially if they’re going through hardships in their lives or don’t have a support system at home,” she said.

The Mayor and County Day of Recognition for National Service is a nationwide bipartisan effort to recognize the positive impact of national service in counties, to thank those who serve, and to encourage citizens to give back to their communities. The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and Cities of Service.

Other local programs that have RSVP volunteer opportunities include Hot Meals on Wheels Inc.; The Salvation Army food shelf, community meal server, Back Pack Program; Freeborn/Mower Habitat For Humanity build site, Restore and Brush with Kindness Program; Mower County Seniors, Inc., volunteer driver, respite, office assistant, chore assistant; Banfield, Southgate and Neveln Elementary Schools, K-6 grade classroom assistant/tutor; Semcac Meals on Wheels, meal deliverer. Contact Regional RSVP Coordinator Michael Maas for more information at 507-450-1518 or mmaas@ccwinona.org.