The rise of “loneliness influencers” on social media says a lot about where we are right now. Add to that friendship apps, adult social clubs, and the growing number of people searching “how to make friends as an adult”, and it’s clear we’re facing something bigger: people are looking for meaningful connections and a place to belong.
And for many parents, one of the easiest places to find that connection is somewhere they already go every day: their child’s school.
Think about it: the parents standing next to you at pickup, the faces you recognize at school events, the people whose names you know from the class directory but have never actually talked to…you already have something in common—you’re all part of the same school community. Volunteering is simply a way to turn those familiar faces into real friendships.
Maybe it starts with one hour helping set up folding chairs for a school event, or chalking the walk before the first day of school. You’re not walking into a room and trying to make awkward small talk with strangers; you’re working alongside people from your community who care about the same thing you do: making school a great place for kids.
And those quick conversations while organizing the lost and found or decorating the PTO bulletin board? Those "we're in this together" moments are often where friendships begin.
For many families, school volunteering becomes their first connection after moving to a new town or becoming a parent. It’s a chance to meet people outside your usual circles and build the kind of community that makes a place feel like home.
You don’t need to volunteer every week, either. You don’t even need to join a committee. Sometimes, one hour is all it takes to show up to a PTO meeting or lend a hand, and meet someone who might become a friend.
That’s the idea behind 1 Hour for Schools: small moments of volunteering can make a big difference—not just for schools, but for the people working hard to turn the school building into a real community.
So, what are you waiting for? Take the pledge to volunteer for just one hour (or more if you can swing it)—your school will also be entered for the chance to win $3,500!*
*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. See official sweepstakes rules.
