Can YOU change your world in order to bring about greater peace? How can literacy be the key to creating better understanding between peoples, and how could you be a part of it? A school counselor in North Carolina knew first-hand that not every child receives the kind of caring attention they need, especially when it relates to reading. The counselor drove to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and purchased two double rockers. She identified volunteers who agreed to read, one-on-one to elementary students, as they spent time together in the double rockers. The kids loved it; the volunteers loved it. From this humble beginning, Cracker Barrel developed the Rockin’ Reader® program as a way to build caring and literacy in the community.

The Rockin’ Reader program establishes a comfortable reading space in each partner school. Rockin’ Reader operates in 225 elementary schools in 29 states, and in September, 2009, Wester Elementary School became the first Lubbock school to participate in Rockin’ Reader, a national literacy program that encourages volunteers to visit elementary schools and read with children.

What about you? There’s room for you in the double rocker alongside a precious child with a bright, fresh young mind who wants and needs to be read to. You could make a lasting impact in a child’s life. Wester Elementary School would love to have readers from 1-3pm Wednesday and Friday afternoons but would accommodate volunteers almost anytime! The volunteer signs in, picks a student’s name from the bucket and reads a book – very simple and fun! If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact the RSVP office at 743-7787.

Volunteer Opportunities: Do you feel like technology has taken off and left you in its dust? Would you like to be able to send emails back and forth with your children and grand children? Would you like to receive pictures in an email and know what to do with them? You’d be able to see how your grand children and great grand children are changing every day. Have you ever wanted to volunteer at an agency, but the agency needed someone with computer experience? Lubbock Senior Computer Education Program offers computer classes every day of the week, and the curriculum is especially designed for senior citizens. Students learn the basics - from turning on the computer to much more advanced functions, as you desire. Perhaps you already have computer skills and would be interested in assisting with the classes or labs. If you are interested in learning more about the Lubbock Senior Computer Education Program, please contact the RSVP office at 743-7787.

Remember: Today is a good day to volunteer!