Volunteers wanted for storytime | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Susan Murphy, an Early Learning Coalition of North Florida volunteer and outreach assistant, reads “Mr. Seahorse” by Eric Carle to students at the Academy of Rising Stars in Palatka.
Robin Robinson, an Early Learning Coalition of North Florida volunteer, reads to children at Kidz in Action Child Care Center in Palatka.

Education advocates are encouraging people to help shape the future of Putnam County’s preschoolers.

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, an organization dedicated to developing and putting together early childcare educational programs for local preschoolers, is looking for Putnam County volunteers. The coalition works with six counties across North Florida, according to the organization’s website.

“If you love small children, are animated, and have a passion for literacy, this volunteer opportunity is for you,” Outreach Assistant Joan Whitson said in a statement.

The volunteer opportunity would be to read to children once a week starting in September. Whitson said the coalition would provide training and give volunteers access to the coalition’s library.

Volunteers have worked with Palatka agencies such as God’s Little Creations Child Care Center and A Child’s Safe Haven. Some outreach programs have included a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday where children met the Cat in the Hat at Ravine Gardens State Park or having Mother Goose visit classrooms to teach children nursery rhymes.

“In the past, (the coalition) has had individual readers, team readers – a small group of friends or a husband and wife – and there have also been civic groups that have adopted a class and took turns reading,” Whitson said.

People who would like to volunteer this year should email Outreach Assistant Lacy Doss, at ldoss@elcnorthflorida.org or call the coalition at 904-342-2267, ext. 202, and ask for Whitson.