EVERETT — At 43, Jeanette McClellan deftly sidesteps speeding tykes on bright red trikes.
She’s right at home among the hula hoops, bouncy rubber balls and a large sandbox.
It all comes with the territory at the Everett Community College Early Learning Center where she volunteers.
McClellan is one of many volunteers at the college who help in a variety of ways, such as tutoring reading and math, teaching immigrants English or working with the EvCC Foundation, which raises money for scholarships and programs.
Volunteers also serve as EvCC program advisers, sharing advice and expertise for college programs, such as welding.
McClellan finds fulfillment at the child care center and preschool.
“The staff here has really, really inspired me,” McClellan said.
That, in turn, makes her want to help more.
McClellan originally began showing up at the preschool because her 4-year-old daughter, Madison, has Type 1 juvenile diabetes that requires insulin injections. She also has celiac disease that includes wheat and gluten allergies.
It didn’t take long for her to find ways to lend a hand. She also has a knack for anticipating needs and finding tasks that need doing, said Kelly Davidson, the Early Learning Center director.
“Other parents are inspired by her,” Davidson said.
Besides helping out in classrooms, she’s worked in the kitchen, assembled equipment, cleaned, done laundry, pointed fellow parents to community resources and prepared registration packets and other paperwork. She’s also lobbied state lawmakers for money for preschool for low-income children and discussed the center with an EvCC student activities group.
Her time in the early learning center and on the EvCC campus has galvanized her resolve to enroll in a high school completion program. McClellan said she quit school in Southern California in the ninth grade to get a job, but always wanted to finish.
“I really want that cap and gown,” she said.
Ideally, she said she will continue her education after earning a high school diploma to study nutrition or become a dietician to help her daughter and others with similar conditions.
McClellan knows that she might be getting help some day from volunteers at the college if she needs a tutor when she takes the plunge back into the classroom.
“It’s a really good feeling knowing that your efforts, as small or as big as they might be, make a difference,” she said. “One person can make a difference.”
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
You can help
Everett Community College has several opportunities for people looking to volunteer.
Its Volunteer Literacy Program tutors students in learning English, math, reading and writing. To become a tutor, call Judy Frost at 425-388-9524.
The EvCC Foundation is seeking volunteers to help with special events, including Gusto! on Oct. 2. Gusto! is a wine- and food-tasting event that raises money for college scholarships and programs. The college needs 125 volunteers. To sign up, call Sharon Johnson at 425-388-9948 or e-mail sjohnson@everettcc.edu.
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