PTO Today, a leading source of information and support for parent organizations across the United States, has launched 1 Hour for Schools, a nationwide volunteer initiative designed to encourage parents and caregivers to contribute just one hour of their time to their local schools.
Volunteers play an essential role in helping schools provide activities and experiences that benefit students, teachers, and families. From book fairs and field days to family gatherings, enrichment activities, school assemblies, and teacher appreciation events, many programs depend heavily on parent volunteers. However, schools are increasingly struggling to find enough people to fill these roles.
Research conducted by PTO Today found that 54% of PTO and PTA leaders surveyed have had to reduce or cancel school activities because they did not have enough volunteers, while 82% depend on fewer than 10 active volunteers to keep their organizations running.
The volunteers who do participate often devote substantial amounts of time. According to the research, 66% of PTO and PTA volunteers contribute approximately 360 hours during the school year. The findings also point to a gap in participation, with 74% of respondents identifying fathers as the most underrepresented group among school volunteers.
The new 1 Hour for Schools campaign seeks to address these challenges by encouraging parents and caregivers nationwide to pledge a combined one million hours of volunteer service. The initiative is built around a simple message: even a single hour can contribute to a stronger and more connected school community.
“Schools across the country are telling us the same thing: they need more volunteers, but they don't need superheroes—they just need more people willing to give a little of their time,” said Charles Field, CEO of School Family Media, the parent company of PTO Today. “That's exactly why we created 1 Hour for Schools. We want to show parents and caregivers that even one hour can make a meaningful difference for their child's school.”
Beyond helping schools operate programs and events, volunteering can also provide parents with an opportunity to become more connected to their communities. Participating in school activities can help parents meet other families, establish friendships, develop relationships with teachers, and become more engaged in their children's educational environment.
Research also indicates that volunteering can contribute to a greater sense of belonging. For parents and caregivers balancing careers, family obligations, and busy schedules, making a small time commitment can be an accessible way to become more involved without taking on a major ongoing responsibility.
A PTO leader from Michigan emphasized the value of participation, regardless of the amount of time involved. The leader noted that parents and caregivers do not need extensive free time or specialized abilities to contribute. Simply being present and participating can help create memorable experiences for students, provide valuable support to school employees, and demonstrate to children that building a strong school community is a shared responsibility.
Parents and caregivers can participate in 1 Hour for Schools through September 30 by pledging to volunteer at their child's school in whatever capacity fits their schedule. Each pledge also gives participating schools a chance to win $3,500 to invest in their school community.
The campaign's overarching objective is to reach one million pledged volunteer hours from parents and caregivers nationwide, demonstrating how small individual contributions can collectively make a substantial difference in schools and the communities they serve.
Click here to take the pledge.
Volunteers play an essential role in helping schools provide activities and experiences that benefit students, teachers, and families. From book fairs and field days to family gatherings, enrichment activities, school assemblies, and teacher appreciation events, many programs depend heavily on parent volunteers. However, schools are increasingly struggling to find enough people to fill these roles.
Research conducted by PTO Today found that 54% of PTO and PTA leaders surveyed have had to reduce or cancel school activities because they did not have enough volunteers, while 82% depend on fewer than 10 active volunteers to keep their organizations running.
The volunteers who do participate often devote substantial amounts of time. According to the research, 66% of PTO and PTA volunteers contribute approximately 360 hours during the school year. The findings also point to a gap in participation, with 74% of respondents identifying fathers as the most underrepresented group among school volunteers.
The new 1 Hour for Schools campaign seeks to address these challenges by encouraging parents and caregivers nationwide to pledge a combined one million hours of volunteer service. The initiative is built around a simple message: even a single hour can contribute to a stronger and more connected school community.
“Schools across the country are telling us the same thing: they need more volunteers, but they don't need superheroes—they just need more people willing to give a little of their time,” said Charles Field, CEO of School Family Media, the parent company of PTO Today. “That's exactly why we created 1 Hour for Schools. We want to show parents and caregivers that even one hour can make a meaningful difference for their child's school.”
Beyond helping schools operate programs and events, volunteering can also provide parents with an opportunity to become more connected to their communities. Participating in school activities can help parents meet other families, establish friendships, develop relationships with teachers, and become more engaged in their children's educational environment.
Research also indicates that volunteering can contribute to a greater sense of belonging. For parents and caregivers balancing careers, family obligations, and busy schedules, making a small time commitment can be an accessible way to become more involved without taking on a major ongoing responsibility.
A PTO leader from Michigan emphasized the value of participation, regardless of the amount of time involved. The leader noted that parents and caregivers do not need extensive free time or specialized abilities to contribute. Simply being present and participating can help create memorable experiences for students, provide valuable support to school employees, and demonstrate to children that building a strong school community is a shared responsibility.
Parents and caregivers can participate in 1 Hour for Schools through September 30 by pledging to volunteer at their child's school in whatever capacity fits their schedule. Each pledge also gives participating schools a chance to win $3,500 to invest in their school community.
The campaign's overarching objective is to reach one million pledged volunteer hours from parents and caregivers nationwide, demonstrating how small individual contributions can collectively make a substantial difference in schools and the communities they serve.
Click here to take the pledge.
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