National Scholastic Journalism Week highlights volunteer opportunities with this year’s theme, ‘Dedicated to Our Communities.’ As voices of the FC student body, Feather staffers cover opportunities to volunteer around our community. Many of this week’s featured locations have been supported by FC Serve Day in past years. This spotlight is dedicated towards service opportunities available at Reading Heart.

A 12-year-old, Danay Ferguson created the program in 2014. Ferguson started this non-profit with the goal that every child would know the joy that reading brings. In addition, Ferguson hopes to improve literacy throughout the Fresno community.

Reading Heart partners with churches and the school districts in Fresno County to provide books for kids who are in the hospital. In addition, this program gives children who do not have enough money to spend on books the chance to read.

One way to volunteer with Reading Heart is sorting books. Another way to participate is to fill small bags with coupons and bookmarks. These bags are then distributed to kids in the Fresno and Clovis Unified School districts. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, however, adult supervision is recommended.

To get involved, visit readingheart.org and for more service opportunities visit servefresno.org.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities in the Fresno community visit, Serve Fresno: Central California Food Bank by junior Avery Jones.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2018-19.