When Joining the PTA Unexpectedly Becomes the Highlight of Your Year

What if getting involved at school didn’t feel like another item on your to-do list, but instead became one of the most unexpectedly joyful parts of the year?

For Hannah Nitz, that experience began the moment she walked into her child’s kindergarten orientation. She had one mission: find the PTA table.

Hannah had always loved celebrations and creating moments of fun, and she already knew she wanted to get involved in her child’s school community in a meaningful way. When she spotted the PTA’s cow-print table with a “Join the Herd” banner, she signed up immediately.

When asked whether PTA involvement was fun, the response she received was lukewarm, to say the least—but that didn’t change her decision. She left the table energized, thinking, “Buckle up, I’m on my way…and I’m bringing the fun!” And that was exactly what she did. 

Starting small: finding a place to contribute

Like many parent volunteers, Hannah didn’t begin by leading large-scale PTA events. Her first step was joining the Staff Appreciation Committee, where she focused on small, intentional ways to make teachers and staff feel valued.

Each month, she looked for simple ideas that would make staff smile when they walked into the lounge. That entry point—light and easy—became the foundation for deeper involvement at her school over time.

It was during this work that she learned about a familiar Staff Appreciation Week tradition: a snack cart filled with treats delivered to classrooms and staff. For many volunteers, "just a snack cart" might have been enough. But for Hannah, it sparked a completely different idea.

A snack cart…but make it a show

Rather than simply delivering snacks, Hannah envisioned something more unexpected: singing. And…costumes.

She called her friend, Kathleen, and pitched the idea (and of course, Kathleen immediately jumped in with the same determination). That same day, the babysitters were booked and lyrics were written to a reworked pop song celebrating staff appreciation. 

What followed was quite the production: costumes, music, and a rolling hallway performance that went viral, naturally.

On the day of the event, Hannah and Kathleen showed up dressed as a Coke can and a blue M&M, complete with a Bluetooth speaker and the song they wrote. They danced through 25 classrooms, singing and delivering snacks as laughter erupted from students and teachers in every room.

In Hannah’s words, they “acted like fools...like a couple of crazy moms”—and loved every second of it.

Nearly every teacher reacted the same way: laughter, surprise, and the same reaction: “That was the BEST part of my week.”

Why it worked: low effort, maximum joy

The impact of the singing snack cart wasn’t about scale or budget. It was about energy, creativity, andthe willingness to do something a little, well…unexpected.

And, it reinforced a larger truth about volunteering at school: the most memorable moments don’t always come from the big-budget events—they come from small ideas filled with joy.

More than one way to bring joy

Hannah’s experience also highlights that joyful volunteering doesn’t have to look one specific way. Not everyone wants to sing through hallways in costume—and that’s exactly the point.

Other volunteers on her PTA team have contributed in different but equally meaningful ways, such as creating playful hallway decorations featuring staff photos reimagined into humorous displays for family events. The common thread isn’t the activity. It’s the intention to create moments of connection and lightness within the school community.

Why joy matters in school communities

Parenting and family life come with enough stress on their own. Schools, Hannah believes, don’t have to add to that weight. Yes, PTA work involves a lot of logistics and coordination. But within that structure, there is room—intentional room—for joy. And that, she argues, should be the goal whenever possible.

Because years from now, no one is likely to remember every decoration at a school dance, or every detail of an event schedule. But they will remember how it felt to walk into a classroom and be surprised by laughter, a song and dance, and a moment of unexpected delight.

The lasting impact of one creative idea

Today, Hannah is PTA President. Looking back, she says those moments of shared laughter are what stay with her most. They represent a reminder of what school communities can feel like when volunteers are empowered to bring their personalities into the experience.

It’s also a reflection of something Hannah believes deeply: that we are truly fortunate to live in a time and place where a little silliness is not only allowed, but can make a difference.

One hour, a little courage, and a lot of joy

At its heart, the 1 Hour for Schools philosophy is simple: meaningful involvement doesn’t require large commitments.

It requires participation, creativity, and a willingness to show up. Sometimes that looks like an hour helping with a committee. Sometimes it looks like decorating a bulletin board. And sometimes, it looks like singing in a blue M&M costume, turning an ordinary school day into something unforgettable for staff and students. 

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.