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OREM — Chopper 5 swooped down at an Orem elementary school Wednesday to deliver a Reader Reward that may seem tied more to the weather more than to literacy.
The students at Geneva Elementary School received $1,000 worth of coats, gloves and boots. But I was only part of a heartwarming story we found at the school.
Most days, Michelle Carter starts by going to class at Utah Valley University where she's studying to become a teacher. Then she drives Geneva Elementary, where she volunteers with the AmeriCorps program and Read Today to tutor struggling readers.
For her service, Carter is earning a tuition stipend and will become the first in her family to graduate from college — but that's not why she does it.
"It means a lot to me to tutor these kids and to be able to make a difference in their lives, and that's what I want to do with my life," Carter said.
She struggles with multiple sclerosis; and on tough days especially, the students give her comfort.
"These guys at the school are like an amazing family to me, and they are a huge support to get me through it," Carter said.
Her perseverance benefits the other tutors dozens of students in the program.
"I pick some hard ones to read so I want to try to learn them," a second-grader named Lindsey said.
When we asked how KSL's Read Today program could help the school, Carter's answer made sense: coats and gloves for students who need basic necessities.
"We want them to feel good about being in school," Geneva Elementary Principal Michael Parks said. "And if they can have a warm coat and ocme to school and feel happy, then we can work with them."
Big O Tires bought the coats because they want to support their neighborhood children.
"If they can read and excel, then the future is wide open to them. It gives them opportunities," said Big O representative Denis Squires.
About 100 students take part in Read Today's tutoring program. For more information, visit readtoday.com.
Email: dwimmer@ksl.com
