Alicia MacLeod and Danica Keating could have spent the summer sleeping in and hanging out with friends, but they chose a different path; they chose to work as volunteers in the Rec and Reading Programs held at Quarterway and Uplands Park Elementary Schools, programs initiated by former Neighbourhood Hero, Terri Mack.

The "Rec" part (recreation) happens in the afternoon; it's a reward for mornings spent working hard improving reading skills.

The Guided Reading Program is taught by a qualified teacher who is supported by volunteers from Malaspina U-C and Starbucks -- way to go Starbucks!

Alicia and Danica work in the Literacy Centre organizing literacy games and comprehension activities, which support the guided reading lessons.

Danica says she volunteers because, "I love helping people, I love teaching kids, and it just gives you a really good feeling inside to know you are helping kids learn how to read."

Alicia says, "It's just something that you feel good about in your life. It's like a good part that's inside you coming out. Summer is not just for hanging out with your friends and stuff like that, it's to do something with your life," she concluded.

When I asked why they felt the Rec and Reading Program was important for the children who attend, Danica was the first to respond.

"I think it will improve their confidence when they know how to read as well as other kids their age and it will help them with friends and stuff because people won't be picking on them because they can't read."

Alicia jumped in at that point.

"I didn't read very well when I was in Grade 3 and 4," she said, "so I know how it feels to not be able to read, and I don't want these kids to feel the way I did. That's why I'm helping, I want to show these kids they can do it just like I did it...three boys I worked with last year were the lowest in the school," she continued, "and now they are exceeding their grade level. I am so proud of them."

Both Danica and Alicia have observed that most of the kids they have worked with had given up on themselves before they started the Rec and Reading Program. They came in thinking they would never learn to read well.

"They just don't believe in themselves," they said almost in unison, "and that's our job, to help them believe in themselves."

When they said that I felt my whole body buzz with their youthful energy, joy, and commitment. Given a new generation of people like Danica and Alicia, the world is in good hands...and there are many more positive young people like them than there are negative ones, the ones we tend to hear about in the print and electronic media.

Following up on past columns, I thought you would like to know that, given the support of her friend, Ora-Lee Landry, (and last week's column) Bonnie Millar reached her $2,000 donation goal. She will be walking in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer on Saturday and Sunday.

Also you may remember Jack Arrol who was nominated by Bill Pineo because of a long list of favors done over the years. Within a couple of days an old frirend called to remind Jack of the time he built her a small table because she couldn't afford to buy one, and another called to remind him about how he helped tear down and rebuild part of their house back in the 60's when they couldn't afford a carpenter. There have been other calls since.