Tanya Gumeson is an exemplary parent volunteer for Columbine Elementary School. Three of Gumeson’s sons — Levi, Christopher and Sean — attend Columbine Elementary. Her 3-year-old daughter Kayla is normally at her mom’s side assisting. Gumeson is in charge of the student store in Columbine’s cafeteria during lunchtime, where kids can buy inexpensive educational supplies.

Highlights from Gumeson’s resume include serving as PTO treasurer; helping with Teacher Appreciation and the Walk Or Wheels program; and assisting in organizing a Jog-a-Thon. She also bought food for CSAP testing and recruited other volunteers for Columbine Library’s biggest fundraiser: the Scholastic Book Fair. She helps as cashier and sets up the fair with her husband, Carl, who serves as accountability co-chairman.

Gumeson also spearheaded the Courtyard Project by writing a grant proposal to Lowe’s, which will supply benches and tables for the playground. “One of the biggest factors was that I always see kids who want to draw or have to do homework. It’s something that I think can be used a lot,” she said.

Gumeson used her own camera to take students’ photos for Columbine’s first yearbook last year. She also helps with the school’s holiday sale. “I pretty much just help out,” she said. “For the Mother’s Day sale, I do a little more. That is basically our personal donation to the school.”

“She’s involved her own family,” Columbine’s volunteer coordinator Loretta Dillion said. “Her volunteering is just as important as her full-time job at the rec center. I cherish her friendship, and we could not get things done without her leadership.”

“I’ll probably stay longer than the kids because of the friendship part,” Gumeson said. “They all decided to have a party for me, and some of the teachers came and gave me birthday cards. I thought, ‘Wow, there really is a lot more to this.’ I think there’s a stronger link than just the kids going to school. I don’t do it alone. Basically, I have help from my family and everybody around.”

For information about volunteering with Columbine Elementary School or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.