Today we’re looking for receivers. Caring volunteers, who love to make life more interesting and fun, are looking for folks who, for one reason or another, are no longer able to read.
Who in your neighborhood, church or family fits this description? If you ask them what they miss most, the list well might include reading poetry, perusing magazines, or even working crossword puzzles!
The Traveling Readers Society brings such delights back into reality, sending women and men – at no charge – to read almost anything the visually challenged person would enjoy?
Carol White, coordinator of this effort through the Friends of the Library, tells of someone who wanted to hear Bible stories. Because Carol attempts to match similar interests, she asked a potential volunteer about this particular assignment. The response came quickly. “I’ll read anything as long as it’s not pornographic.”
Ms. White says she has received only positive feedback in her two years of volunteer service to this position. Both readers and listeners seem to thrive in the process.
Consider, for example, Berta Hodges. Among many responsibilities as wife and mother of three children, as well as teacher of English as a Second Language at Sonoma State University, Berta sets aside an hour and a half every Friday to read at Merrill Gardens (formerly Westlake House Wine Country.) A voracious reader, Berta picks articles she thinks might be appropriate from the latest Sonoma Sun, a magazine or two, and sometimes other newspapers.
Two of her biggest fans, Joan Lucas and Ann Bordenave, show up every week. After describing her selections, the Traveling Reader asks which ones the listeners prefer to have read. Between readings, substantive discussions often take place. The young “baby boomer” says, “It’s fascinating to gain the perspectives of another era. Still, a delicate balance may be required to avoid offending another generation’s sensibilities.” But when she slips, she just says “Oops!” and they all have a good laugh over it.
Please call Carol White at 996-1335 to be a reader or to inform her of someone to whom the delight and extra stimulation of a traveling reader would be welcome.
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Staff photo.
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