Dedicated Classroom Volunteer, 70-yo Finds Purpose With 600 Grandchildren

Photos and story by Julie Makarewicz
Originally published by School News Network

Dale Allers isn’t related to anyone at Sparta’s Ridgeview Elementary School, but he’s “Grandpa Dale” to the 600-plus students who affectionately greet him every week with smiles, fist bumps and hugs.

“That’s why I do it. I love the kids and their smiles,” said Allers, who has volunteered at the school the last eight years and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

“He comes over and says ‘Just try your best’ and he always helps us out. And he fixes everything! He makes our whole school a better place,” said first-grader Madison Sackett.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dedicated-school-volunteer-finds-purpose-has-600-grandchildren-now/