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"It's a big event for the students when their
READ volunteer comes to the school. Students
look forward to the visit and the time spent
with their volunteer reader. This volunteer
effort creates a strong bond between students
and READ Volunteers that can last a lifetime.
The READ Volunteer Effort is a wonderful
partnership for our students and our school.
Thank you READ Volunteers for the time spent
with our students--it is time well spent."
Dr. Lillian Jones-Thomas, Principal
Nelle Haley Elementary |
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“Working with the READ program has enriched my
entire life: allowed me to feel that I can make
a difference in my community, shown me the joy
in reading through a child’s eyes, and given me
a renewed pride in my employer through support
of READ. The children are so appreciative of
the time I spend. With just a fraction of my
day, I can help a young person discover the
wonders of reading.”
Shawn Knapp, Broker Advocate
Stevens Worldwide Van Lines |
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“I can't think of a better way to invest in the
future and our community than by helping
children learn to read. It's easy, fun and
fulfilling! In addition, the READ Association
has done all the "homework", doing all the
groundwork to set the program up.”
Chris Tiderington, Community Liason
Saginaw Township Community Schools |
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“The reason I
became involved in the READ program, and the
reason I have increased my involvement over the
years, is that the program allows you to
directly make a positive difference in a child's
life. There is no discussing problems and
coming up with possible action plans; you are
there from day one actually making a difference
for children and for your community. There is
no reward quite like seeing what it means to a
child that someone cares enough about them to
take the time to be with them on a consistent
basis.”
Matt Peterson,
Vice President
CHASE Bank |
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“The READ mentors offer struggling readers at
our school the chance to read and discuss
books. This individual attention motivates the
student to read more independently.”
Kathy Graham, Reading First Literacy Coach
Saginaw Public Schools |
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“I have had the privilege of coordinating
volunteer services provided through the READ
program for many years now, most especially at
Weiss Elementary, and hope to continue to
facilitate this valuable form of assistance in
the future. The feedback received from parents,
teachers, and students has been overwhelming
positive. I have had students from all three of
my elementary buildings attend the evening
program, and we have been able to offer an
after-school option at Weiss, where several
quality volunteers have returned year after year
to work with a variety of students. Students
consistently look forward to their time with
these volunteers and have developed significant
positive relationships. Their work together has
not only assisted with acquiring and reinforcing
skills, but has also helped make reading and
related activities interesting and fun.”
Marcia Spelman, School Counselor
Weiss, Westdale, & Arrowwood Schools |
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“It has been my
pleasure to be a volunteer for the READ Program
over the last four years. It is amazing how at
the beginning of each school year, especially
with the younger children, that many of them are
very shy and somewhat reserved, but by the end
of the program we have formed lasting
friendships/relationships. Having the
opportunity through the Read program to be able
to watch the progression of the students’
confidence levels from the beginning to the end
of the program is rewarding.”
Alexis Thomas,
Repurchase Coordinator
Morley Companies |
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“I have been a board member, board chairman,
fund raiser, and a volunteer reading mentor for
many years. While I have enjoyed all of these
activities I have gotten the most satisfaction
of being a reading mentor. My father and I
alternate weeks with three kids so we have the
flexibility to switch weeks. We try to have
things to read that fit their personalities and
their interests with the goal to lay the
foundation for a passion for reading. These
kids can go anywhere, do anything and be
anything if they are good readers. My goal each
year is to try to make a little difference in
these kids’ lives and the READ program allows me
to do this.”
Jon Gardey, CFP,CFA
Gardey Financial Advisors LLC |
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I like
READing because. .
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I like to read because it is fun and I like to
read a book. I like the treats they have.
Jacob, 3rd grade, SS Peter & Paul
School |
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It is fun and
helps me learn big words like “lightning”
Dakota, 2nd
grade, Stone School |
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We can learn.
Because we have fun books and there are pretty
pretty colors.
Marissa, 2nd
grade, Weiss School |
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I can learn
new words. I can learn about animals.
Joyce, 1st
grade, Peace Lutheran School |
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