SMART Reading
Find your local SMART office
  • Baker County
  • Benton County
  • Clackamas County
  • Clatsop County
  • Columbia County
  • Coos County
  • Crook County
  • Curry County
  • Deschutes County
  • Douglas County
  • Gilliam County
  • Grant County
  • Harney County
  • Hood River County
  • Jackson County
  • Jefferson County
  • Josephine County
  • Klamath County
  • Lake County
  • Lane County
  • Lincoln County
  • Linn County
  • Marion County
  • Multnomah County
  • Polk County
  • Tillamook County
  • Umatilla County
  • Wallowa County
  • Wasco County
  • Washington County
  • Yamhill County
  • Main Office
DonateVolunteer
  • What We Do
    • Consulting
    • Reading Resources
    • Books
    • Stories
    • Impact
    • Overview
  • Get Involved
    • Attend an event
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • World Read Aloud Day
  • Our Community
    • School Sponsors
    • Partners
    • Supporters
    • Families
    • Volunteers
    • Educators
  • About Us
    • Newsroom
    • Financials
    • Careers
    • Local Offices
    • Equity
    • Leadership
    • History
  • En Español
  • COVID-19
    • Resources
    • COVID-19 Program Adaptations
  • Share You SMART Reading Story
  • Read More SMART Reading Stories

Dennis Dietrich, Deschutes County

I was a SMART volunteer for several years at Bear Creek Elementary School in Bend. One year I had a student that was in need of some special care. We’ll call him Eric. Eric had a way of getting into trouble and not being particularly studious, so his teacher nominated him for the SMART program. I worked with Eric the entire term, reading with him weekly at my lunch break from work. Eric noticeably improved that term, and his teacher thanked me at the end of the term. But the best thanks I got was several months later, in Fred Meyer’s music department. I heard a voice say “Mr. Dennis?” I looked around and saw no one. Then I felt something tapping my leg, and I looked down. There was Eric. “Mr. Dennis, it is good to see you. Thanks for all the time you spent with me.” You can’t beat moments like that in your life. I will never forget Eric, and I am sure he is an aerospace engineer somewhere today!

  • Share You SMART Reading Story
  • Read More SMART Reading Stories

SMART Stories

Story from:

Renee Jones, Lane County

I was having a hard time connecting with one of my new little guys. He seemed uninterested, always sat with his arms crossed, and he kept insisting, “I… Read More ›

Where to Volunteer

Select your local county from the drop-down menu below to find SMART volunteer opportunities in your community!

Find your local SMART office
  • Baker County
  • Benton County
  • Clackamas County
  • Clatsop County
  • Columbia County
  • Coos County
  • Crook County
  • Curry County
  • Deschutes County
  • Douglas County
  • Gilliam County
  • Grant County
  • Harney County
  • Hood River County
  • Jackson County
  • Jefferson County
  • Josephine County
  • Klamath County
  • Lake County
  • Lane County
  • Lincoln County
  • Linn County
  • Marion County
  • Multnomah County
  • Polk County
  • Tillamook County
  • Umatilla County
  • Wallowa County
  • Wasco County
  • Washington County
  • Yamhill County
  • Main Office

101 SW Market St. Portland, OR 97201

Phone: 971-634-1634
Toll free: 877-598-4633

Email: SMART@smartreading.org

  • SMART Reading
  • Reading Matters
  • What We Do
  • Get Involved
  • Our Community
  • About SMART Reading
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
Inspire a child's next chapter.

Site made possible by:

© 2021 SMART Reading

Federal Tax ID: 93-1051724

Join Us for Oregon Reads Aloud!A Statewide Read-a-thon and Fundraiser

Join us to make a difference on Friday, February 26 for Oregon Reads Aloud, a fundraiser supporting our work throughout Oregon. 

It's free and everyone is welcome! Tune in at https://www.avcast.me/smartreading.

Tune in!

Never see this message again.