Parents spend a lot of time chauffeuring kids to and from school. Years ago, one grandfather decided he had enough of all that traveling back and forth. So, he started volunteering at his granddaughter's elementary school
"Rather than go back home during the day I just stay, because I watch them afterwards," said volunteer Gregg Schall.
Schall gives his time at Bear Canyon Elementary School in Highlands Ranch each school day.
"And I've been doing it for 9 years now," said Schall.
He started when his granddaughters, Madison and Rylie, were younger, but he's stayed. Rylie is moving onto middle school next year and Madison is now in high school.
Over the years Schall has grown attached to a lot of the kids in the school.
"It's fun to watch them grow up and sad when they leave when they go to middle school and high school," said Schall.
Recently, Bear Canyon gathered all the students helped by Schall in the school's library. The room was filled nearly to capacity.
"We need more! We need more Mr. Schall's in the world," said teacher Beth Enderle.
Schall has been invaluable to the other teachers at Bear Canyon, too.
"He grades papers for us. He keeps track of things that we don't even ask him to keep track of. Bless his heart, he takes homework home and grades nearly every night for a variety of us," added Enderle.
Volunteering has filled Schall's heart as well. So, he has some encouragement, should you ever want to give your time.
"There are always ways to volunteer for one day or two days a week. They don't have to do it all the time like I did," said Schall.
Mitch Jelniker anchors 7NEWS Now in the mornings from 4:30 to 7 a.m. He also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on 7NEWS. Follow Mitch on Facebook and Twitter. Nominate a 7Everyday Hero here.
