Smiles light up the room as parent volunteer Lena Pancake walks into the Symmes Valley Elementary third-grade classroom with a joke book in hand.

All the staff and teachers are quick to point out how valuable volunteers such as Pancake are to the school.

Pancake, who has a daughter Emily in the third grade and an older daughter Elizabeth who graduated in 2001, has volunteered at the school for the past four years and is the co-coordinator for the parent volunteer program.

"I just feel like I am helping to make the school a better place, not only for my daughter, but for all the children," she said. "Plus, my daughter does love to have me here."

From making copies, reading to the students, decorating bulletin boards to helping out at events such as the Veteran's Day dinner, the parent volunteers do whatever the teachers need, Pancake said.

"It is all about the students. The kids are the motivation," she said. "By helping the teachers, we are helping the kids because the teachers can spend more time in the classrooms."

Third grade teacher Pam Lang can't say enough about how much she appreciates Pancake.

"As a volunteer, even before her daughter was in my room, she always read to my kids. She will do anything I ask her to," Lang said. "You have always heard the saying, gives until it hurts. That is what she does. She always goes above and beyond."

Though they are now up to about 12 regular volunteers, Pancake said she would like to encourage other parents to donate their time because the rewards far outweigh the time sacrificed.

"It is a very rewarding experience. It helps you be involved in your child's education," she said. "By being here you get to know the teachers and can talk to them. Plus, we have a good time. I have made some very good friends here volunteering."