Ledger-Enquirer.com
By Sara Pauff
School volunteering may be traditionally seen as a mom’s duty, but the National PTA is encouraging more fathers to volunteer at schools this year with their first annual “Million Hours of Power” program.
Charles Lawhon, a National PTA committee member and coordinator for the male involvement program, said the PTA wants 350,000 men to commit to volunteer at least three hours at a school during the 2010-2011 year.
The organization is also asking dads to participate in the “Million Father March” and walk their child to their first class on the first day of school.
The organization’s goal is to increase father-child relationships. He said children at schools with more fathers volunteering and significant male role models are more likely to perform well in the classroom.
Fathers with demanding or time-consuming jobs don’t have to spend a lot of time at the schools, he said — often taking 30 minutes a month or stopping by for a quick lunch with kids helps.
“If you can’t come into school, help your son out with his homework,” Lawhon said. “Find a child without a father, one of your kid’s friends, and invite them to spend time with you and your son.”