By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
September 16, 2004

POCAHONTAS - Two women have been volunteering at Pocahontas Catholic School in Pocahontas for over 15 years each.

Margery Crotty, a 16-year volunteer and Anne Harrold, an 18-year volunteer at Pocahontas Catholic continue to offer their time on Wednesdays.

The two volunteers help with whatever the teachers need them to do. They correct papers, tear pages out of workbooks, make signs, cut out letters and other things that take time for a teacher.

"I think it is so important because it helps the teachers so much," said Harrold. "They always seem to look forward to us coming and always have the work laid out for us. It makes it convenient for us to do the work."

In the past, Harrold helped the students by going over their flashcards with them. When she first started, she would also listen to the students read. She added that it is something that she will always remember.

"It is my highlight of the week," said Crotty. "I have plenty of time to do it, and I really enjoy it. It helps the teachers have more time for the necessary things in their classroom."

According to Kristy Liechti, principal at Pocahontas Catholic, the teachers are very appreciative of the things these two volunteers do for them on a weekly basis.

"They are there on a constant basis," said Liechti. "They are very committed to their work. The consistency part is very important. It not only demonstrates to students that it is important to have that community piece involved with your school, it also communicates to the teachers that someone out there is appreciative of what they do for our students and is willing to lend that extra hand to help and assist in educating our kids."

Liechti feels that at the foundation of every successful school should be a strong volunteer program. She explained that it communicates so many things to the community, the parents, the students and the staff.

The women set the example of doing work and helping others to the students whom witness them each week.

"I am very interested in Catholic education," said Crotty. "I think the children need to be taught their religion, about God and about helping others."

Harrold commented that she feels it is important to set an example for the students. She hopes that the students look upon their peers, as they should.

"They are the most wonderful volunteers," said Wanda Rittgers, secretary at Pocahontas Catholic. "That table is just loaded with stuff. Every Wednesday they come and they get things done. It is just awesome. I think it is a great role model. It is good for the kids to see how important this school is."

Crotty was a teacher and then a secretary at the school for 18 years before she started volunteering, so she has been a part of Pocahontas Catholic for sometime now.

"The thing that I always remember is this note that I got from one of the children when I was leaving the secretary job. It said, 'She always speaks to me even if there is somebody around.' That really impressed me," said Crotty.

Both enjoy volunteering at the school. Harrold noted that this is something that she has always insisted on doing every week. She would tell her husband not to plan anything for Wednesdays because that is the day she goes to the school.

"It means a lot to me," said Harrold. "I just enjoy it so much. I feel like we are really helping the teachers. I like being around the children. It takes me back to when I was a teacher."