Tis the season for giving, giving what you can to make a difference! Austin University Area Rotary Club members give the most precious gift of all, their time.
Every Tuesday and Thursday Rotarians volunteer at JJ Pickle Elementary, a title one school located in Northeast Austin. They work closely with librarian Anita Sigler who facilitates their work.
University Rotarians are matched with students who need additional reading support. They take turns reading and listening to students in order to help them practice their reading skills.
“We focus on encouraging the students!” said Betty Richardson Rotarian since 1987.
Other Rotarians include Jerry Galbraith, Terry Burnett, Beverly Bakir, Jean Nalle, Martha Myers, Candice Clark, and Dr. Clift Price. Chairman of the University Rotary Education Committee Frank Murphy Lynn and Ivan Milman who also assist students with their math skills.
The club gives much more than their time to their adopted schools.
Richardson said, “The club gave gift cards to teachers and the librarian at the start of school for classroom supplies. The club has purchased equipment on the teachers’ wish lists and helped judge a literacy competition. We have adopted this school as well as Pecan Springs.”
Both Pickle and Pecan Springs are Books for Me and Early Books for Me program schools.
There is something to be said about the adage “it takes a village.” BookSpring strives to engage members of the community in laying the groundwork for a child’s development through a continuum of literacy programs.
From reading aloud during book distributions, adopting a classroom, or assisting librarians maintain their reading spaces, there is no shortage of ways you can make an impact in spreading literacy across Central Texas.
For group volunteer opportunities contact Amanda Shaver at amada.shaver@bookspring.org or contact Mariela Rodriguez at mariela.rodriguez@bookspring.org for individual volunteer opportunities.
