The United Way of King County’s Volunteer Reader Program has been sending volunteers out into our community to read aloud to preschoolers since March of 2007, and what would these three years of hard work be without getting to throw a three year anniversary party for one of our most dedicated volunteers? Volunteer Reader May Shimbo has been reading at Grammis’ House in White Center since May of 2007, and when her reading anniversary day came up last month the director of the center and the many children who have benefitted from and enjoyed May’s storytelling decided it was the perfect time to do something special.

When she arrived for her scheduled reading session on May 26th, the children were waiting for her with a homemade poster, a vase full of flowers from the garden, and a near ear-splitting chorus of “Thank you Miss May!” After “Miss May” had received her gifts and had taken the time to thank all of the children for the wonderful surprise, she was then able to make a gift of a new picture book to each child to take home, donated in her name by the United Way of King County. In addition to the children, the staff at Grammi’s House, and Volunteer Reader staff, RSVP was also on hand to thank May for her service both to the United Way and to other organizations throughout the community.  

There are several volunteer readers who have been with us from the start, as well as several more who have been reading since 2008. We would love to have the opportunity to throw parties for all of these readers, as well as for those who have been reading a year, a month, or even a week. If May can make such an impact on so many children, imagine what sort of a difference all 130 of our readers are making!

You can read more about May in RSVP’s summer 2010 newsletter: http://www.solid-ground.org/GetInvolved/Volunteer/RSVP/Documents/EIASummer2010.pdf