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Dads' Club of Florence Elementary isn't just an organization that volunteers or assists at school. It's a network for dads to connect and support each other.

In the spring, the club hopes to go to a Grasshoppers game "so dads can get to know each other," said Clay Metcalfe, president of the club. The club is more of a social and civic organization.

About a dozen dads are active with the organization. Some read to classes, some tutor, some work on committees such as school beautification.

Now is a good time to help out at your child's school, said Metcalfe, whose daughter, Molly, is a fourth-grader.

"You have a short window of opportunity to be active at your child's school," he said. "Once they are in middle school, you can't help anywhere."

The group would like to have at least one dad from each classroom step up and serve as classroom dad.

Metcalfe, who owns a pest control business, said everyone can volunteer.

"It's a win-win situation because whenever you go to school, in my case it's (volunteering as a lunch buddy), you think it takes an hour, hour and half of your day, but you go, and it really brightens your day.

"You step back and realize (life is) not all about work."

Any Florence Elementary dad interested in learning more about the club may call Florence Elementary at 819-2120.

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com