For 34 years, a simple formula has helped hundreds of thousands of Oregon children discover the joy of reading — one volunteer, one child, one hour a week.
Now, as SMART Reading embarks on another school year, the statewide literacy nonprofit is searching for Philomath-area residents willing to share that hour with students at Philomath Elementary School and Kings Valley Charter School.
“Reading with a child for just one hour a week can ignite confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning,” Elissa Kobrin, SMART Reading’s area director, said through a news release. “Volunteers often tell us it’s the best hour of their week — and the impact lasts a lifetime.”
The organization is recruiting volunteers for two roles. Reading volunteers need no special experience or training beyond what SMART provides — just a willingness to spend an hour each week with a young reader. For those with organizational skills, a site coordinator position is available at Kings Valley Charter School, requiring two to eight hours weekly to coordinate reading sessions and mentor other volunteers.
Since its founding in 1992, SMART Reading has connected more than 157,000 volunteers with 334,000 children across Oregon, focusing on prekindergarten through third-grade students in the state’s highest-need schools and communities. The organization has distributed nearly 5 million books to children’s homes.
This year, SMART plans to serve 1,288 students in Benton, Lane and Linn counties while giving away more than 18,000 books in the process.
Community members interested in volunteering can learn more or sign up at www.SMARTReading.org or by calling 541-600-8035.