Rivergold kids love their S.P.I.C.E. volunteers

Cathie Campbell - ccampbell@sierrastar.com

Cathie Campbell/Sierra Star

The group shares smiles with first-grade Rivergold School students in Mrs. Clews’ class. The kids are happy with their new handmade painting smocks.

COARSEGOLD — Hugs were in abundance at Rivergold Elementary School when S.P.I.C.E. (Seniors Participating in Community Education) volunteers visited two classrooms last Thursday morning.

Principal Bob Rose accompanied Dr. Angelo Pizelo, S.P.I.C.E. founder; Archie Macauly, member of the United Way board (both Dr. Pizelo and Mr. Macauly are involved in many worthwhile community-oriented organizations); Oleta Johnson, S.P.I.C.E. director and several volunteers to the classrooms of Mrs. Clews, first grade, and Mrs. Pisel, kindergarten.

The volunteers have been busy sewing attractive smocks for schoolchildren to wear when painting or doing other arts and crafts that might be somewhat messy.

Also presented to the students were handmade journals, with blank pages that invited the jotting down of creative expressions. Bookmarks were included and those were handmade, too.

Many of the volunteers hail from Park Sierra, a co-op RV park along Spinelli Road [416] in the Coarsegold area. Not surprisingly, this lively group loves to travel and see new and favorite places and people.

Participating in Thursday’s visit to Rivergold, besides Mr. Macauly, Dr. Pizelo and Mrs. Johnson, were volunteers Jane Albin, Jane Crouch, Caroline Rodely and Verna Erickson. Others that helped sew painting smocks and/or made journals were Fran Briseno, Sheryl Coffman, Brenda Henry and Gini Odell.

More volunteers who have been involved in the smock program include Jean Bixier, June Dean, Ruth Michaelson, Laura Newsom, Janice Ryder, Jeannie Taylor and Mary Ward.

Mr. Rose asked the kindergartners and first-graders, “How do we say ‘thank you’ here at Rivergold?” They responded with a hearty round of “Hip-hip-HOORAY!” and punctuated each shout with a hand in the air. They were also free with hugs and were thoroughly delighted with all of the generous projects that have been provided by S.P.I.C.E. volunteers.

“The S.P.I.C.E. program is one of the most wonderful projects we’ve ever had,” said Dr. Pizelo. “The United Way has done a lot — we’re really grateful. They helped us to get started and have been there for us all the way since 1988,” he added.

Mrs. Johnson tries to keep out of the limelight but deserves recognition for the countless hours she has devoted to S.P.I.C.E. In spite of some challenges she continues to direct and coordinate the program, letting very little stand in her way. Her dedication and generosity, along with those same qualities in all of the people involved with S.P.I.C.E., have not gone unappreciated.

As with most programs, volunteers are always needed and welcome. There are even projects that people in their 90s participate in, as well as wheelchair-bound citizens. If you have a little bit of time to spare and would like to help our community schoolchildren, please call 683-3811.