Maggie Schott had considered suggesting a few candidates for the 2025 Zelienople Volunteer of the Year award. However, the person who ended up getting it — herself — had never crossed her mind.

Schott, the board president of Zelienople Preschool at Calvin Church, was presented with the award earlier this year.

“It’s overwhelming in a positive sense,” Schott said about winning. “So often, the work that you do as a volunteer is just assumed. There’s an invisibility to it.”

Recognition has never been the end goal of Schott’s volunteering work, she said. Most volunteers do it out of love for community rather than an expectation of being thanked. But any of the work behind the scenes being acknowledged by borough officials was heartwarming, she said.

Not only has Schott heard from neighbors and community members in person and over social media, but she said some former recipients of the award have also reached out to her.

The borough started the Volunteer of the Year award program in 2014 to honor individuals who have dedicated their time, talents and energy to serving and improving the community.

The award is a culmination of several different projects and contributions. Tara Rosenfeld, vice president of the preschool, said Schott always has a project underway, whether it’s volunteering, or activities like crafting and gardening.

“I truly think Maggie has more hours in the day than the rest of us, because I don’t know how she does it all,” said Rosenfeld, who nominated Schott for the award.

She started at the preschool in 2024 as the special events co-chair on the parent-run board of directors, helping put together two events per year.

“It became clear pretty quickly that she had the drive and enthusiasm to do much more,” Rosenfeld said.

In July, Schott was elected president of the preschool’s board of directors.

From building social media presence and the website, to planning events and fundraising efforts, Scott’s new role comes with many responsibilities.

But her community service extends beyond the preschool.

Schott approached Megan Murphy, co-owner of Hearth & Home Furnishings, last year for opportunities to assist with the borough’s Miracle on Main Street event.

“(Schott) was such an asset to our small team,” Murphy said. Schott ended up helping organize the event by managing social media, and creating content to promote participating businesses. “Maggie took the ball and ran with it,” Murphy added.

Schott also played a major role in planning this year’s Fourth of July celebration by coordinating the Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’s visit.

“I think this award is such a fitting recognition of Maggie because she embodies what it means to be a community volunteer,” Rosenfeld said.

She added that since taking over as the board president, Schott has worked toward increasing the school’s visibility and enrollment.

She said her friendship with Schott, which precedes their roles on the preschool board, has strengthened since they started serving together.

“She makes volunteering fun,” Rosenfeld said.

Born and raised in Pine Township, Schott returned to the area about four years ago. A resident of Jackson Township, her mailing address says Zelienople.

“It’s a wonderful area. It’s a beautiful town,” Schott said about the borough. “There’s so much to do in the town that you can really make a day of it.”

With the world becoming more digital and fast-paced, she said Zelienople is a unique place with a tight-knit community.

She discovered the Zelienople Preschool when searching for a preschool for her own son. Having found it, Rosenfeld said Schott aims to maintain an accessible and quality preschool option within the borough for residents.

“This town means so much to Maggie,” Rosenfeld said. “She genuinely wants to help make Zelienople the best place it can be for her family, friends, neighbors and, especially, for the children growing up here.”

Schott used to operate a small marketing business from home. After having children, she said she decided to take a step back from her business.

Now, as a stay-at-home mother who spends her free time volunteering, Schott’s morning starts with getting children ready for school and then planning the day ahead.

At the preschool, her work every day changes based on the time of the year, she said, which requires adaptability.

“Whether you’re a working mom, whether you’re a volunteering mom, if you can’t be flexible, that’s when you break,” Schott said.

Much of Schott’s work before the preschool was also in volunteering.

Schott said she believes that going beyond donations and volunteering for field work is important for a community.

She draws inspiration from her parents, who, themselves, were involved with several volunteering organizations.

“Monetary donations help — and are necessary — but by rolling up my sleeves and really volunteering, I can take whatever monetary donation that I would be able to give so much further,” Schott said.