Volunteer

Our Volunteers Say it Best! 

“I think I get more out of it than the kids do.  Where else can you get "free" hugs?” 

“I had the time of my life reading to those kids.  It made my day.” 

“I love working with children and believe if you can teach them to read and to enjoy reading the world will open up to them.” 

“Oh my gosh it was SO much fun!!” 

“It is a pleasure to be involved with programs that bring children and education together.  I personally feel honored to participate in an effort which inspires the minds of tomorrow.”  
 

Our volunteers are our most valuable resource.  Book’em has more than 130 volunteers who serve as reading role models in area pre-schools and elementary schools.  Research shows that reading aloud to children greatly increases their ability to learn to read. 

Some specifics about our two reading programs, Ready for Reading and Reading is Fundamental: 

Our Ready for Reading volunteers read weekly either to a small group of children or one-on-one with a child in a local pre-school that serves lower-income children.  Your time commitment, depending on the age of the children will range from 20 to 35 minutes, plus travel time.  You work with the reading site to determine what books to read.  We have numerous opportunities available in this program. Learn more.

Our Reading is Fundamental (RIF) volunteers serve kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms in selected Title I Metro schools. RIF volunteers visit a classroom five times between October and May to read and bring books to give to the students.  Time commitment is 1.5 to 2 hours per visit, some of which is spent traveling.  The volunteer is responsible for picking up books at Rose Park Magnet Middle School, and returning leftovers after the visit.  Time in the classroom is about 30 – 40 minutes.   Learn more about RIF.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete a Volunteer Application (click here for downloadable form).  In addition, all volunteers 18 years and older must successfully complete a Background Check (click here for downloadable form) in order to volunteer with children. 

Other volunteer opportunities:

• Library Volunteers –sort, count, and organize books
• Book Drive Organizer
• Office Support Volunteer
• Help at Recruitment Fairs
• Help with Special Events
• Event fundraiser/fundraising 
  

For more information about volunteering, contact Martha Ann Pilcher at volunteers@bookem-kids.org. 

For Active Book'em Volunteers.