by Traci Murphy | Apr 25, 2023 | Volunteer Spotlight
When Ben Bravence, a portfolio manager with UMB Bank, heard about Lead to Read KC, he knew it was something he wanted to be a part of.“I consider reading my biggest hobby,” Bravence said. “So when a couple of co-workers, who were Reading Mentors, told me about Lead to...
by Traci Murphy | Dec 19, 2022 | Volunteer Spotlight
Reading Mentors make the best recruiters! Just ask Bob Daum. He has recruited seven new Reading Mentors so far this year. “I talked about my experience at Genesis School and how much I enjoyed getting to know my reading buddy,” Daum said about his recruitment efforts....
by Traci Murphy | Apr 27, 2022 | Volunteer Spotlight
At the beginning of the year, Mike McGuire joined our team of Reading Mentors. Every Tuesday, you’ll find him at Genesis School. Before he joins his class as a “Flextra” Reading Mentor, he heads to the school’s library, logging into a virtual reading session with a...
by Traci Murphy | Feb 10, 2022 | Volunteer Spotlight
We were surprised and honored when newlyweds Ross and Cynthia Merritt told us they asked their guests for donations to Lead to Read KC instead of gifts for their wedding. “Ross and I discussed how we didn’t want or need any more ‘things,’” Cynthia said....
by Traci Murphy | Jan 13, 2022 | Volunteer Spotlight
It’s National Mentoring Month, and Lead to Read KC could not do what we do without our dedicated Reading Mentors, like Diane Stecklein. After her retirement, Stecklein felt called to give back to her community. A TV news story about Lead to Read KC led her to the...
by Martha Conradt | Apr 23, 2021 | Testimonial, Volunteer Spotlight
Sometimes, a chance meeting on a flight can lead to a long-time, meaningful volunteer experience. In 2018, Drew Yarnell, his wife Ashlyn and a Lead to Read KC Reading Mentor ran into each other on a flight and spent the entire flight talking about life and the Lead to...
