MARION -- When Washington School social worker Lesa Patton was approached by members of the Heartland Rotary of Williamson County about bringing a new reading program to the school, it was an easy decision.
"We work hard to teach the whole child," she said.
Those lessons include being good community members, serving others, and fostering positivity.
"I thought it was a great opportunity to take advantage of," added Patton quietly, as Jason Powell, the president of the Rotary chapter began reading to Christy Johnson's first-grade class.
Powell said he introduced the idea of bringing the Rotary reading program to Williamson County schools shortly after becoming president. The Rotary Literacy Project is the creation of the chapter from Fairborn, Ohio that includes Andrew Shoup's book, "Andy and Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure," that tells the story of a service project while identifying the Rotary's 4-way test.
"The main goal is keeping the youth informed of what Rotary is and the importance of giving back, of service above self," said Powell. "There is no better feeling than giving back to our future leaders and future Rotary members is a top priority."
Powell said that the Marion afternoon Rotary supplies the classrooms with the book and the Heartland chapter followed up with reading.
Rotary members Julie Campbell, Analisa Park, Kathi Odum, and Matt Carnaghi joined Powell in reading last Thursday at Marion's Washington School, after beginning the program the week before at Longfellow School.
"We're just getting the idea of giving back in small children's heads," said Campbell. "Hopefully, they'll look to Rotary when they grow up."
Assistant principal Ashleigh Benson said she and her staff teach their students to be service-minded, not just as adults, but as students.
"When there's a need, we want to meet it," she said, "and you don't have to be an adult to do that."
That lesson is brought forth in several ways at the school, according to Patton.
"We are currently collecting pet supplies for the humane shelter, working on a project to raise money for Gum Drops, and collecting plastic lids for the Rotary Friendship Bench project," she said.
Students also tend a school garden and donate the vegetables to the Ministerial Alliance.
For the teachers, the program goes beyond the realm of service.
"It's good to show them the importance of reading as an adult," said first-grade teacher Christy Johnson.
Fellow teacher Lori Mausey agrees.
"It's a great opportunity for the kids to see how reading can play a role as they get older."
Campbell and Powell said the group hopes to take the program to every school in the county and new members are always welcome.
"If anyone would like to join our Rotary or learn more about service projects, we meet on Tuesday mornings at Heartland Regional Hospital at 7:45," said Powell. "Everyone is welcome."
