Volunteers of Tomorrow Learn How to Help Wyckoff

What is a volunteer?

To Joanna, a first-grader at Lincoln Elementary School, a volunteer is "someone who helps out and doesn't get paid."

The youngster's apt description was complimented by Mayor Rudy Boonstra, who joined Drita McNamara, a Planning Board member, in explaining to the first-graders at the Mason Avenue school on Tuesday afternoon about the many volunteer opportunities available around the township.

"Does anyone know what the mayor does?," asked Boonstra, whose volunteer service to Wyckoff dates back to 1968, when he joined the Fire Department.

"He helps Wyckoff," one child replied.

Boonstra gave the kids a brief history of the ways he has tried to help Wyckoff, as a firefighter, school board member, zoning board member and Township Committeeman. The five-member governing body has given up its stipend the past two years, working without any pay or perks in a purely volunteer capacity.

The committee is a "great thing to do... we really enjoy it," he told the kids.

The first-graders learned of the variety of opportunities to donate time in Wyckoff, whether on township boards and commissions or through one of the 13 houses of worship or civic groups, such as Partners in Pride. The visit was part of continuing lessons on volunteerism, designed to show the kids what they can do out of the "goodness of their hearts," said first-grade teacher Kylene Bitten.

Lincoln School will continue to receive parents to explain the satisfaction one can receive from donating their time.

"So many people stepped up," Bitten said.

Among those who answered the call are Chief David Murphy of the Wyckoff Fire Department, who will join other firefighters at the school today to talk about how they give up their time to help residents in their hour of need.

Representatives from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland also will stop by the school this week to talk about their mission in caring for animals. Students will be encouraged to think of things they can donate to the shelter.

"We want them to think about ways to help out," Bitten said.

On Tuesday, the kids also learned of ways they can help the environment, courtesy of McNamara, a former member of the township's Environmental Commission, which she said is a "fun committee to be on."

With a show of hands, the first-graders confirmed that they understood the good recycling can do for the environment. However, one can enjoy the wonders of nature while having fun, too, exemplified in part by the township's Fishing Derby, scheduled for June 5.

"It's another fun thing we can do to show how important the environment is," said McNamara, parent to a Lincoln first-grader.

Lincoln's environment was given a bit more shade Tuesday, courtesy of a Bradford pear tree donated by Cedar Hill Nursery in Mahwah and planted by the Wyckoff Department of Public Works. Although the rain was still coming down, a select group of kids donned raincoats and carried umbrellas outside to take a look at the tree, which will still need to be shoveled in once the weather clears.

"It's something for you guys to watch as you go through Lincoln School, seeing how big it grows," McNamara said.

First-grade teacher Jean Augustoni told the kids that "we always need volunteers" in town. Judging by the show of hands of kids who'd like to volunteer one day, Wyckoff shouldn't have any shortage of interested residents in years to come.