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FARMINGTON — Many schools might have a handful of volunteers on any given day. Wednesday, KSL News rewarded a school where more than 100 volunteers are helping struggling readers.
Some say it "takes a village," but Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington has a small army of community volunteers who are fighting to bring up reading scores with about 180 students.
"It kind of puts a lump in my throat seeing how much people care; and most of them are retired and their kids don't even come here, but they are willing to help," said Erin Bowers, coordinator with Read Today Project Tutor.
As part of the project, Bowers and other volunteers from the community — in this case from the surrounding LDS Church Stake — read one on one with children twice a week.
"The tutors largely come from this area, and when we heard there was an issue that they needed tutors it was an easy thing to ask parents, and they came," said Steve Christensen, an LDS Church stake president in the area.
"Then it becomes more than an assignment, it becomes something you're really happy about and want to be a part of," said reading volunteer Jonathan Jensen.
To reward this community-wide effort, Big O Tires made sure each of the school's 1,000 students got a book to take home.
"You can't get through life without being able to read. There's nothing that can be done without reading," said Max Hanson, with Big O Tires.
"The communities support us, and we want to give back where we can," said Travis Tait, also with Big O Tires.
Volunteers love the kids and are excited about the potential.
"I think we'll see scores go up; I'm sure we will. I'm excited," said Nancy Bingham, a volunteer with Americorps.
Seventy-two Utah schools are taking part in Project Tutor. More information can be found at target=_blank>readt oday.com.
Email: dwimmer@ksl.com
