United Way’s Reading Adventure wraps up in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The United Way of Greater St. Joseph hosted their final Reading Adventure event on Friday.

The weekly Reading Adventure program invites volunteers to read to students at multiple elementary schools in St. Joseph, said Lauren Catron, the marketing communications director at United Way.

"The students get to read and the volunteers are kind of there just to kind of help if they're struggling a little bit with a word, but more just kind of building their confidence and making sure that they're loving to read," Catron said.

The most recent series of Reading Adventure events began on Jan. 27 and concluded on March 7.

Parkway second grader, Piper Bowlin shared why she enjoys reading.

"Because it's fun and it helps your brain, like, function," Bowlin said.

Catron explained why she has decided to come back and help with the program multiple times.

"The kids," Catron said. "It's so much fun. The smiles, they're so excited and especially if you come back week after week at the same school, they recognize you and they just love (saying) 'oh you get to read to me' or 'oh i get to read to you' and just kind of building that bond with the kids, it's a lot of fun."

Catron says the next Reading Adventure series will begin in the summer.