Literacy Volunteers Rock!

Written By: Tonya Hensley - Highlands Literacy Council | Issue: 2015/04 - April

In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed the executive order establishing National Volunteer Week. Since then, every president has signed a proclamation promoting this event. Accordingly, April is national volunteer month and let me just say the Literacy Council has some of the best and brightest volunteers out there!

From the time I began my career here almost five years ago, our volunteer pool has doubled from 17 to 34. Volunteer tasks range from tutoring to envelope-stuffing, and everything in-between.

Our longest-serving tutor, Bev Cone, recently moved to Florida to be near her family. While we miss her greatly, we so appreciate all the love she passed on here and know that we are lucky for having known her; I’m sure all her students would concur. Our Wilson Tutoring Rooms have been dedicated to her for her friendship and long-term service.

Veteran tutors still with us are Bob Tietze, Zach Claxton, Jodie Cook, and Leslie Doster. While Bob is gifted with the ability to help adults learn English and reading skills, Zach and Jodie both have a knack for helping high school students understand complicated math. Jodie also tutors students who need assistance with chemistry. We can always count on these gentlemen to take on extra students any time a need is there. Leslie Doster is an extremely talented lady with the ability to help small children decode language skills. She tutors during the summer months.

Our newest tutors are Rod Scott, Mary Ann Hardman, Chip Wisdom, Cecil Hines, Marlene Eichman, and Jane DeWolf. These individuals have shown an enthusiastic dedication to literacy and a strong desire to help children.

Other tutors this year include Chris Boltz, Kathryn Buckley, McKayla Hensley, Dick Hills, Marcy Hutzel, Michael Lanzilotta, Beth Miller, Rick Trevathan, Dan Rex, Lisa Richards, and Kay Smith. All of these individuals are a treasured part of our team.

Others have helped out in numerous ways: Autumn Chastain, Bill Edwards, York Mendoza, Kyle Pursel, Sarah Pursel, Jacky Reyes, Cristell Ruiz, Julie Schott, Gary Wein, and all our wonderful board members, staff members, and spouses.

Without all these fine individuals, what we do would never be possible. Their selfless gift of time contributes tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of added value to our organization each year! Our annual volunteer appreciation event is planned for late spring.

My favorite Richard Nixon quote: Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. Here at the Literacy Council, our volunteers are helping folks climb that mountain, step by step.