Students at the Atlantic Senior High School have a chance to participate in a graduation incentive program to promote volunteerism in the Atlantic Area. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ouida Hargens and Programs Director Cate Christensen spoke about the Silver Cord Program during a meeting Wednesday night, of the Atlantic School Board.

Hargens said Atlantic High School Seniors who volunteer a minimum of 200 hours throughout their high school career, will graduate with a Silver Cord, and be eligible for a $500 scholarship provided by the Chamber. Christensen said they’re excited to bring the Silver Cord Program to Atlantic because it’s important to students, the college they choose to attend, and their future as adults.

She said colleges are looking at the program as well, and, if kids are involved in volunteerism now and learn how it can build a community and grow the population, when they finish college they will want to grow their roots here and expand, making the community bigger and better. Christensen said students are eligible to earn volunteer hours during the summer of their freshman year. Students must have a total of 200 hours of volunteering by May 1st of their senior year, in order to qualify (a minimum of 50-hours per year).

The hours will be pro-rated for this, the first year of the program, and for new students. Students can sign-up for the program by picking up a packet – which includes a parent consent form – at the Chamber office, the High School Guidance Counselor’s office, or on-line.  The student will then receive a Silver Cord badge, and be able to volunteer with any local organization listed at www.AtlanticIowa.com, and/or www.volunteerspot.com.

Volunteerspot.com is being used as part of the SilverCord program to provide a list of current and past organizations seeking volunteer help. Members of the community can also go to www.volunteerspot.com., to learn where they can lend a hand. Christensen says students earn credits every time they volunteer, because the organization they are helping must fill out a verification form.

Students can also volunteer for individuals needing help, such as an elderly person needing someone to clean-up their yard, but the project needs to be pre-approved. Ouida Hargens said students and teachers were presented with the program last fall, and their focus now is to remind students about it, and recruit them as volunteers.