Where Passion Meets Purpose
At Edison Elementary, a United Way Community School, volunteers are not just welcome — they’re essential. As one of the first schools in Erie County to adopt the Community School Model, Edison has had years to build a volunteer system that’s as intentional as it is impactful. And it shows.
From Wabtec volunteers conducting science experiments and read-alouds, to retired community members sorting donations in the Community Closet, Edison thrives on the time, talent, and heart of its volunteers.
Volunteer Breakdown:
This year alone, 80 volunteers have consistently dedicated their time to Edison. The Community Closet alone has logged between 75–100 volunteer hours per quarter. That’s hundreds of hours of support, all helping ensure families have access to essentials and students have what they need to succeed.
37 Wabtec Volunteers
27 Volunteers for After-School Enrichment
13 Volunteers from Hooked on Books for Kids
3 Community Closet Volunteers
Intention & Purpose
Community School Director Tami Krzeszewski-Conway says the key to Edison’s volunteer success is intention:
“We pair volunteers with something that feels good to them. We plug them in where their passion is.”
From after-school enrichment clubs — like karate, face painting, and STEAM programs — to classroom-based engagement, the model is built to empower volunteers and deepen relationships over time. Edison’s Corporate Partner, Wabtec, has been a driving force, consistently showing up to support both in and out of the classroom.
Tami emphasizes the importance of building a strong system — and then stepping back to let it grow:
“If we didn’t have volunteers, we simply wouldn’t be able to offer as much.”
Thanks to her leadership, Edison’s volunteer infrastructure is now largely self-sustaining, with returning volunteers taking the lead on everything from organizing the closet to supporting social-emotional learning through local college students.
