Volunteer readers — from left, Olinda Kelley, Suzi Ayers, Lisa Downey, Susan Dills and Will Gustafson — get ready at the Spring 2017 Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena Read Aloud America Program.

LAHAINA – The Read Aloud America Program (RAP) is seeking volunteer readers for an evening family literacy program to be held at Princess Nahi’ena’ena School on Thursday evening, April 5.

Volunteer readers are needed from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. A free light dinner is served – no need to cook on RAP nights!

The only qualifications are a love of reading, interest in children, patience and must be age 16 years or older.

Read Aloud America is dedicated to promoting literacy and helping families bond through the fun of reading and being read to.

During the past 17 years, it has served over 339,000 adults and children at 90 public schools in Hawaii.

The program was last presented at Princess Nahi’ena’ena in the spring of 2010.

During the evening program, children are divided into age groups and are escorted to a classroom for a 40-minute read aloud session.

All books for the read aloud sessions are provided by the program.

Volunteer readers will receive training and a handbook during a 60-minute training session prior to the start of the program.

According to Program Director Joanne Laird, “Volunteer readers are the heart of the RAP program. Children immediately bond with a volunteer reader because there is no pressure for the children to perform. Children just sit back and listen to great stories – no tests, no book reports, no questions in a read aloud session. It is a positive experience for children and the volunteer reader!”

According to volunteer reader Barbara Lum Lee, “Even after a full day of work, you’re not tired when you’re done. You’re energized! I feel like I’m doing something good, because reading is the key to everything.”

If you would like to experience the joy and satisfaction of sharing wonderful stories with children, complete the Volunteer Registration Form at www.readaloudamerica.org/volunteer_reg.htm.

You will be contacted by Read Aloud America upon completion of the form.