Appreciative of the efforts of W.O.W. (Wonder of Words) volunteers, Jennifer Hollowell, left, and Marilyn duBrisk of Tusculum College's Arts Outreach say there is always a need for volunteers in the program that helps elementary school students improve their reading skills. (Tusculum College photo)

Enjoy reading?

W.O.W. program seeking volunteers

Hundreds of youngsters in Greene County have received encouragement and assistance in reading from volunteers in the W.O.W. program since its inception.

Beginning its 12th year, W.O.W. (Wonder of Words) remains strong because of the commitment of the adult volunteers who spend time each week reading or tutoring a student who needs a little extra help with this most basic of skills for life-long success.

New volunteers are always welcome, said director Jennifer Hollowell. "W.O.W. is such a 'user-friendly' program," she said. "In just 30 minutes a week, volunteers have the opportunity to have a great impact on a child's life. It is so gratifying to see the benefits right from the beginning.

The Wonder of Words program matches able volunteers with kindergarten through third grade students who have been identified as needing additional assistance with words and reading. Each W.O.W. volunteer works to build a year long, one-on-one relationship with a child by devoting 30 minutes each week to share the joys of reading and thus enhance the student's reading skills.

Volunteers from many walks of life, ranging in variety from retirees to college students to professionals to busy homemakers, are recruited and supported through the cooperation of Tusculum College, Partners in Education, and area businesses.

These volunteers soon discover that their students depend on them to arrive as scheduled. Thus, each volunteer is asked to establish and keep a regular day and time to meet with the students. Research shows that a child's reading success depends on the amount of time they have been read to in their early years. By the simple act of meeting for 30 minutes a week and reading together, the W.O.W. volunteer can change the odds for one child's success.

Hollowell is beginning her first academic year working with the W.O.W. program as part of her responsibilities as Arts Outreach coordinator, but is a familiar face at Tusculum. She has been at the college for more than 10 years, having worked primarily in the Admissions Office. Hollowell succeeds Sara Allenduff, who moved to Florida in the late spring with her family as the result of her husband’s promotion to a position at a Parker-Hannifin manufacturing facility there.

For more information about the workshop or the W.O.W. program, call Hollowell at 798-1620.