NIB Reading Mentor Kathy Gallagher Kicks Off Summer of Service in Alexandria, VA

Kathy Gallagher is serving as a reading mentor under the United We Serve volunteer program to help children maintain and improve their reading skills during summer vacation. Kathy uses books with one page printed in braille and the other in traditional lettering to read with her students. She also uses an electronic reader that is built into her mobile phone.

On Monday, June 22, 2009, as a kick-off to the United We Serve program (http://www.serve.gov/), Kathy introduced two boys to braille and learned more about the kinds of books and stories they like to read.

Kathy works in the human resources department at the National Industries for the Blind (http://www.nib.org/). She also spoke with 140 Girl Scouts at a day camp in Alexandria, VA on June 23, 2009 discussing how she lives a productive and active life as a person who is blind.

NIB is supporting the President's call to community service by encouraging employees at their headquarters office and more than 85 related agencies nationwide to participate in the United We Serve volunteer program. The program runs from June 22 to September 11, 2009.

Volunteer. Share your experience. Be part of a Summer of Service through United We Serve!

First Lady Michele Obama Kicks Off "United We Serve"

NIB is supporting "United We Serve" a summer of community-based volunteer service from June 22 to September 11, 2009. Listen to First Lady Michele Obama's comments about "United We Serve" and learn how to get involved. For more information, log on to http://www.serve.org.

NIB is encouraging all member agencies to participate in this wonderful volunteer program in any capacity that they can. Our goal is 100 percent participation!

Our focus is on providing reading mentors to children in local communities. Consider being a reading tutor at the library, schools or with neighborhood children.

Any kind of service or volunteer help you can do is worthwhile. Follow your heart and convictions.

You don't have to do this alone. Gather a group of friends or co-workers. Talk about a one-time event or plan something that will carry you through the next three months on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Share what you're doing with NIB through this blog or Twitter, http://twitter.com/nibabilityone.

Learn more about NIB and the AbilityOne program at http://www.nib.org

JOIN “UNITED WE SERVE” READ TO CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITY

On Monday, June 22, 2009, “United We Serve” will launch a volunteer program focused on community service. NIB is leading an effort to encourage employees and staff at all of our agencies to participate in reading programs through your local community libraries, schools, neighborhoods or social groups.

Our goal is 100 percent agency participation between now and September 11, 2009. Hear what President Obama has to say about UNITED WE SERVE.

Here’s how your agency can sign up to participate in the United We Serve volunteer initiative:

1. 
   Visit http://www.serve.gov/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to the box that says “Register your event or project” and click on this box.
2. 
   Click on “Get started now” and fill out the form to create an organization account with a description of your existing volunteer opportunities.

GETTING STARTED: follow this program or start your own. All volunteering is good!

Identify Local Partners e.g. NIB is working with local libraries to bring in staff to read to children throughout the summer. Your local library probably has a Summer Reading Program with group reading sessions throughout summer vacation. Contact them today!

Build a Team: Put together a group of reading volunteers. It’s a great way to share the fun and reach out to your community.

Set Goals: Think about reading to children once a week, every other week or once a month. Make your goal fun and obtainable.

Serve Your Community: Inspire a child with your favorite story or by reading their favorite story to them. As a person who is blind, you bring a special “can do” perspective to children who are learning to read. Read to children in your neighborhood, at schools or libraries. Invite groups to your agency. They’ll love listening to and learning from you!

Celebrate Success: Track your progress, take pictures, do a video and share your experiences with NIB and other volunteers. Post your comments and experiences HERE! Log on to http://www.serve.gov/too.

For more details, assistance in getting started or registering your NIB-agency program or publicizing your event contact: Ken Murphy, director of Communications, NIB kmurphy@nib.org 703-310-0333.