A Tale of How Dedicated NHBP Volunteers Make a Difference

Held in April every year, National Volunteer Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions of volunteers who donate their time and energy to others.

This month-long observance serves as a poignant reminder of the power of collective action and the profound impact individuals can make when they lend a helping hand.

We need not look any further than within our own Community to find shining examples of individuals who are selflessly devoting their time, skills and energy to support various causes.

Among these individuals are NHBP PK-12 Specialist Michelle Simms and NHBP Tribal Member and Education Office Coordinator Charles Hendrix, who recently visited East Leroy Elementary School in East Leroy, Michigan, to read Native American-inspired stories to students.

“We love to read Indigenous stories because they are engaging and teach how to live by the Seven Grandfather Teachings,” said Simms.

This volunteer opportunity came about after team members from the NHBP Education Office had a desire to help local schools and give back in a meaningful way.

“It is important for students to see Native Americans participating in school functions; it’s a way for us to improve our visibility. We also want students to know that we care about their education, and we want to show our support for Tribal Members, who are also students,” said Simms.

Since 2017, team members have been reading to students. Simms first got involved with book reading because she knew the school was looking for readers through her involvement in the PTO at East Leroy Elementary.

The classroom setting is familiar to Simms, who taught elementary school for 20 years. “I love being able to go into the classroom to read.

Currently, I have five stories that I rotate each year. Each story has a moral and we tie them to the Seven Grandfather Teachings. We hope the students learn a life lesson from the stories we share with them,” said Simms.

This year’s book was “Turtle’s Race with Beaver,” by James and Joseph Bruchac.

Simms enjoys choosing one book and creates science, language arts, math and history mini-lessons that adapt to grades K-5.

“Charles and I take turns reading and leading the lessons. We have so much fun animating the stories and taking in items for kids to touch and interact with. We also brought in a beaver pelt and turtle shell shaker this year,” recalls Simms.

When deciding which story will be read to the students, Simms says, “We have collected a set of books written by an author whom we really like. They are Abenaki stories from the Northeastern Woodlands of the United States and Canada.”

The students love to listen to the stories and have fun participating in the activities Simms and Hendrix bring along with them.

“The story we read this year had to do with a race between a beaver and a turtle. The kids really got into cheering for their animal,” said Hendrix. 

“We usually give them a small gift as well. This year, they could have a small resin turtle, a beaver key chain, or a beaver sticker since the story was about a turtle and a beaver,” said Simms.

The impact of this volunteer opportunity is a win/win for everybody.

Not only are the teachers and students grateful to have Simms and Hendrix visit, read and share Indigenous stories, language, and humor with the kids, but it’s also something Simms and Hendrix both genuinely find joy in doing.

“It is a lot of fun reading the stories to the students. I enjoy changing my voice to match the character that is speaking in the story. It is great seeing the reaction of the children as the story unfolds,” said Hendrix.

Simms and Hendrix also volunteer in various capacities at Battle Creek Central High School throughout the year. Hendrix sits on the Freshmen Career Academy Advisory Board and offers opportunities for any of NHBP’s employees to volunteer for their requests to support students.

In the past, they also helped with mock interviews for students. They’ve both sat on panels about education and attended Decision Day at the end of the school year to support freshmen students.

Volunteering lies at the heart of building strong, resilient communities. From lending a listening ear to those in need, to rolling up sleeves for environmental clean-ups, volunteers embody the spirit of generosity and compassion. They are the unsung heroes who selflessly devote their time, skills, and resources to uplift others and create positive change in the world.

Kche Migwéch {Big Thank You} to Simms and Hendrix, who have embraced the spirit of giving back and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Your dedication as a volunteer is an inspiration to all.

National Volunteer Month is a beautiful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. One simple act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create ripples of positivity.

What can you do today, to make a difference and use April as a catalyst to serve others?