VWCS Honors Longtime Volunteer Jerry Hoffman

A group of current and former Van Wert Elementary School students and staff recently gathered for a heartfelt surprise celebration honoring longtime volunteer Jerry Hoffman, affectionately known to students as "Grandpa Jerry."

Mr. Hoffman, now 84, has been a beloved part of the Van Wert school community for years. He began his journey with Van Wert City Schools as a paraprofessional working with Derek Hill until Hill’s graduation in 2017, and soon after began volunteering at the elementary school. For the past eight years, he has devoted countless hours to supporting students in Mrs. Rollins’s classroom, becoming an important and cherished figure to all who know him.

To thank him for his years of service and kindness, Mrs. Rollins invited him to what he believed was a simple Halloween party. Instead, when he arrived, in full costume, he was surprised to find a room full of former students and teachers gathered in the elementary commons to celebrate him. Joining Mrs. Rollins and her VWES students were Mr. Hicks and Mrs. Schaffner from the middle school, as well as Mr. Alvarez from the high school, along with their students, many of whom worked with Jerry throughout the years.

“We wanted to show him how grateful we are for all of the time he has dedicated to our students and let him know what an impact he has made on so many of us,” said Rollins.

The celebration was filled with smiles, memories, and heartfelt words. Before leaving, Jerry gathered his former students close and shared an emotional message:

“I lost my wife and only son and don’t have any grandchildren. You’ve become my grandkids and have made my life a lot better. You’ve grown up and have become really good young men and women. Remember, the most important thing is to be kind to each other, help people when you can, and listen to what your teachers tell you to do, and try to do the best you can. You’ve really been special to me, and I really appreciate you, and I will miss you.”

As he finished speaking, the students surrounded him in a group hug, a touching moment that perfectly reflected the love and gratitude felt by everyone in the room.

Grandpa Jerry’s kindness, dedication, and gentle encouragement have left a lasting impact on generations of Van Wert students. Though he is stepping back from regular volunteering, his influence will continue to be felt in the halls and hearts of Van Wert Elementary for years to come.

Click here for more photos from the celebration.