Gala Service Award presented to rotary readers

On any given Wednesday during the school year, you’re likely to see several people sitting with students reading to them.

The Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club has been working hard to instill the love of reading in young readers by hosting regular reading sessions with local students for many years. Several members of this Rotary Club give of their time every Wednesday morning to help these students improve their reading skills by listening while the students read to them.  

In August, these dedicated readers were presented with the Excellence in Service Award at the Paws for a Cause Gala, hosted by the Trussville City Schools Foundation.

In addition to regular reading sessions, these Rotarians annually celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss by giving a Dr. Seuss book to students at the elementary schools.

Rotary Readers’ comments include how rewarding it is to see such a difference in the reading abilities between the beginning and the end of the school year. Fran Aldridge coordinated this year’s Rotary Readers, and she worked to encourage all Rotarians to be regular readers or even to read on an occasional basis

Some of the Rotarians have invited their spouses to join in the fun. Betty Cork, wife of David Cork, has made Dr. Seuss aprons for the readers to wear as they distribute the books. She also presents these special aprons to the teachers. John Patterson invited his wife Sandy, a retired teacher, to read with the Rotarians.

This is truly a labor of love for these Rotarians — one that not only makes a difference for the students but also for the readers.

Submitted by the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club