Stories

Susan Rola, Deschutes County

I have been a SMART reader for over 15 years.  I signed up because I love books and I love children — what a no-brainer to volunteer to A) read, and B) be with children!  But I had no idea how much I would enjoy it.  I started when my own two kids were little, and now they are grown and gone, but I still love the feeling that only little kids can give you, when they see you at the classroom door and their eyes light up.  “My SMART reader’s here!”   And that moment, usually sometime in January or February, when it’s as if a light bulb comes on in the child’s mind, and as you’re reading a book together, this little person with so much potential that wasn’t awake yet can suddenly sound out a word, then many words, then read a sentence, then read a whole book to you.  There’s just nothing like it.  SMART is special because it encourages friendship and bonding between an adult and a child over a good book, and both come away from it enriched.

Mary Chisholm, Deschutes County

Wow, 20 years already? My first readers have graduated from high school and college! I myself was a young 46 when I started as a SMART volunteer – and now I am a young 65!

I began as a SMART volunteer when the program started in 1992 with 8 schools, including La Pine Elementary. SMART was spearheaded by the Oregon Children’s Foundation led by former Governor, Neil Goldschmidt. Mr. Goldschmidt stated that SMART was …”one person stepping forward to help one child succeed. Making a personal commitment to children is the most important contribution you can make to the future of Oregon.” I wanted to be that one person. At that time Sunriver Properties, who owned Sunriver Lodge & Resort, sponsored the SMART program for La Pine Elementary. I live in Sunriver and the Sunriver community had the largest single contingent of volunteers at that time.

When Three Rivers School in Sunriver implemented SMART in 1993, I started reading there since it was right next to my office in the Sunriver Business Park – and 20 years later here I still am! I have really enjoyed sharing my love of reading with all 37 of my SMART readers.

I have kept a log of the students and the year I was their SMART reader – 37 in all. Now I wish I would have kept a log of “the moments” I had with each of them. What I do remember and still treasure are the smiles and hugs when I show up in their room for our reading time. I do still have the mementos they made at the end of the year – whether it was a handmade card, a plant, or a photo. I could see the bond develop as the year progressed – and how their confidence developed at the same time. My SMART time was and still is an important FUN break in my week. Of course an added bonus is the opportunity to read all of the wonderful children’s books!

Knowing that I played some small part in developing a “love of reading” in my 37 readers is why I am still a SMART reader! Since I could have another 20 years with SMART, I guess I will start that log of “moments with my readers!” next year.

Geri Rumbaugh, Clark County

I have been volunteering for SMART for about 13 years. I started it because I really missed reading to my daughter. I like using different voices and enjoy getting quite animated when I read. I know the kids really enjoy it, but I believe I get as much enjoyment out of it as they do. Just like the kids, I look forward to it every week.

I work a stressful job. I love when I leave work and go straight to the school to read to the kids. I love walking into the school and smelling the cafeteria lunches. I love the whole environment. It is just wonderful. It plain and simple does my heart good.

I do not live in the area, but am still very involved with the school I read at. I come to a variety of events at the school, such as the read-a-thons, the book fairs and author’s night. SMART has not only made a difference for the school, but for the whole community.

I absolutely love the SMART program. I miss it when it is not available in the summertime. I know the children get a lot out of it, but so do I. It is very special to me, and I will continue to read at the school until they no longer have SMART.