So does Connie Stratton. Only she does it for free.

Since her oldest of six children began kindergarten in 1987, Stratton has volunteered in schools, school community members say.

She is a reading tutor and gifter, often slipping clothing or hygiene items in the backpacks of students in need.

She's a Halloween Carnival and Valentine Tea assistant. A lice-checker. A vision screener.

She organized and oversaw the Secret Santa Gift Shop. She helped create the Children's Native Plant Garden.

She helped raise $30,000 and secure a matching grant for playground equipment, which Stratton installed herself with the help of a backhoe she operated.

"The inspector made the comment that he had not seen a better job of installation anywhere," principal Kathleen B. Petersen wrote in nominating Stratton for the award. "We educators and children of Three Falls Elementary depend on her for help almost every day. She never disappoints us."