Get them Reading by 9

TONY DODERO

I’ll never forget my first introduction to the book “Treasure

Island,” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

My mom, a great lover of books herself, would read these stories

to me and my little brother, acting out the lines in the voice of a

pirate.

It made my brother and me laugh to hear our mom act so silly, but

conversely, her animated storytelling style brought the pages alive

and, more importantly, started my lifelong love affair with the

written word.

And that brings me to an idea that has come to my attention thanks

to the Daily Pilot promotions department -- a way to give the perfect

gift.

No doubt many of our readers are trolling through the shops of

South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island these days looking for that

perfect gift to give this holiday season.

In the spirit of this giving time of year, allow me to suggest a

gift that will last a lifetime, and selfishly, maybe produce a few

more newspaper readers to keep us in business just a little while

longer, a goal I know is probably the opposite of some readers’.

The Daily Pilot in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs of

Newport-Balboa, Newport Irvine and Newport Beach Sunrise and the Los

Angeles Times Reading by 9 program has launched a new venture called

Read Newport-Mesa.

By taking part in this venture, readers of this newspaper can give

that gift of reading to the children of Pomona, Whittier or Wilson

elementary schools.

These schools are largely made up of limited English-speaking

pupils, who are trying to overcome language barriers in addition to

the everyday coursework expected of elementary school kids.

With a donation of one hour a month (of course you can always

volunteer for more), readers can give a child a world of

opportunities.

In addition, if a company or club or community group or

congregation can make a unified commitment, then the amount of

volunteers can increase substantially.

As a former literacy volunteer myself, I can tell you that it is

one of the most gratifying experiences you’ll ever try.

As an added bonus, those organizations that make a commitment to

the program will be recognized in the Daily Pilot.

The time available to read to the students runs from 8:15 a.m.

until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The goal, as stated by the Times

Reading by 9 program, is to have kids master reading by, naturally,

the age of 9.

To get started call one of the three schools, whose numbers are

listed below and tell them you want to be a Read Newport-Mesa

volunteer. Tell them what day you can do the reading and they will

get you hooked up with a teacher.

The Read Newport-Mesa program is a continuation of reading

programs that are sponsored by the Pilot, Reading by 9 and the Rotary

clubs but made successful by you readers.

Over the last four years, donations of $24,000 -- $10,000 from

Daily Pilot readers -- has gone to Pomona, Whittier and Wilson

elementary schools.

The money has been used to purchase 16,500 reading books for the

pupils there in kindergarten through third grade.

There is a new campaign underway to bring in an additional 7,800

books.

Again, a big thanks goes to the readers of this newspaper who have

donated so much of their time and money to provide these children

with such a long-lasting and important gift.

For information on how to help, call Pomona Elementary at (949)

516-6980, Whittier Elementary at (949) 515-6990 or Wilson at (949)

515-6995.