The Agapé Academy and Child Development Center in University City had the good fortune of having Samantha read to their four-and five-year-old children. Through the Ready Readers program, Samantha was able to share her passion for reading and dedicated every Wednesday afternoon for five months to these youngsters.

Daughter of Suzi and Al Bayne of Chesterfield, Samantha said that Wednesday became her favorite day of the week. “I loved watching the kids smile as I read their special books to them. They loved to count and repeat words in the books with me,” she said.

Once a month Ready Readers would distribute books to the children. That was their favorite day. Samantha would then put a nametag in each book for the kids to take home and keep. “Every time I go to Agapé, I come away feeling a lot happier,” she said. “It makes me feel good to help all these preschoolers.” 

In addition to volunteering at the school, Samantha helped raise money at one of the various fundraising events held by Ready Readers, held at California Pizza Kitchen. Twenty percent of a patron’s bill went towards the cost of the books that are given to the children. Samantha sent out e-mails to friends and family encouraging them to eat at CPK that particular day. She was able to fill over a dozen tables.

A student at Crestview Middle School, Samantha is volunteering her time again this semester at Ready Readers. A St. Louis-based nonprofit organization, Ready Readers is dedicated to inspiring preschool children from low-income communities to develop a love of books. For more information about becoming a volunteer or making a donation to Ready Readers, please visit their web site at www.readyreaders-stlouis.com.