Reach Out and Read Volunteers needed to promote love of books to children at Sun Life Health Center in Maricopa

Eighteen months ago, Sun Life Family Health Center took the initiative to become the first provider in Pinal County to adopt the Reach Out and Read (ROR) program. ROR is a nationally recognized program that makes early literacy a standard of primary care for pediatric patients.

Sun Life providers present well-child checkup patients, six months to five years of age, with new books specific to their age and culture. In 2005 Sun Life distributed 1,347 books to 1,233 children through six Pinal County offices.

Children love books — and having books read to them..

Volunteers have started making a difference in the lives of these children at Sun Life Family Health Centers around the county. One volunteer at the Casa Grande Sun Life facility often finds herself reading to several rapt children while parents wait for their doctor appointments. Another volunteer noted that after reading to the children, she observed a one of them holding up her new book, provided by Sun Life, for her mother to read with her.

The ROR program helps foster more interaction between parents and their children through reading books together. Doctors encourage parents to read aloud to their children at home while volunteers engage the children in the waiting rooms.

More volunteers are needed to read aloud to children in designated reading areas at Sun Life’s office in Maricopa. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is looking for volunteer readers, age 55 and up, who enjoy children, reading aloud and have the willingness to share the love of books; however, volunteer readers can be any age.

All volunteers can expect a background check and a half-day basic orientation at the various sites, as well as supervision. Call the Sun Life Family Health Center at (520) 836-3446, ext. 366 and mention Reach Out and Read.

Share your love of books while promoting early childhood literacy. Volunteer to read!