By Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

In recognition of National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 15-21), the employees of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division would like to thank its volunteers for their service and dedication to the children of Texas.

Each year, volunteers across the state help the Office of the Attorney General serve Texas families and children more efficiently and effectively. Volunteering can be beneficial to people from different walks of life, including individuals seeking new job skills; student-interns seeking to satisfy course requirements; retirees and other Texans who simply wish to give back to their communities.

Child support volunteers perform a variety of duties, including data entry, filing, and assisting attorneys and child support officers. The time and skills volunteers contribute help each office operate more efficiently.

Not only do volunteers make an impact on children, but they positively impact taxpayers as well. The Attorney General’s Office saved taxpayers $1.1 million last year through the use of 578 volunteers statewide.

These dedicated Texans are vital to the success of the child support program. By graciously donating their time, volunteers are helping the Attorney General’s Office provide children with critically important financial and medical resources. Thanks to these individuals, the Office of the Attorney General can help ensure that young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong.

Child Support volunteers share a passion and genuine desire to help the children of Texas. For the past six years, students from the Notre Dame School in Dallas, which serves students ages 8-21 with developmental disabilities, have volunteered in local child support offices. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 16 students work diligently to help ensure the child support offices run smoothly. The students perform tasks such as metering mail, shredding, sorting, and filling copiers and fax machines with paper.

Not only do the students help keep the offices running efficiently, but their presence also brightens the day. One employee said, “It’s a privilege and pleasure to have the students come in the door every Tuesday and Thursday.”

These students are just one example of the outstanding volunteers that the OAG is lucky to have. Their dedication and hard work help the Child Support Division make an impact and serve the greater needs of Texans.

Thank you to each volunteer who has left a mark on the Child Support Division — many lives have now been enriched.

Individuals interested in volunteering Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. should contact their local child support office. Contact information can be found on the Community Services/Volunteer Program section of the Attorney General’s Child Support website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.