“Rescue Readers” program sparks students’ passion for animal welfare

Orphans of the Storm partnered with Meridian School in Buffalo Grove on a pilot program called Rescue Readers. The students read 527 books, resulting in a $2,500 check from Woodman's Food Market in Buffalo Grove donated to the animal shelter in Riverwoods.

In a kickoff presentation earlier this year, led by Orphans of the Storm volunteers, fourth and fifth-grade students in four classrooms were asked to read books and complete book reports for six weeks to benefit the shelter. Woodman's pledged to donate $5.00 to the animal shelter for every completed book.

Students at Meridian School were present on April 14 at 8:30 a.m. when they learned the results of their avid reading efforts. A representative of Woodman's, Courtney Frazier, Store Manager in Buffalo Grove, presented a check in the amount of $2,500 to Orphans of the Storm, appreciatively accepted by Sandy De Lisle, Head of Development and Community Outreach.

A creative and meaningful way to motivate students to become avid readers

“I knew Rescue Readers was going to be an exciting way for our kids to experience what it feels like to do something helpful and meaningful for the dogs and cats at Orphans of the Storm, but it also motivated them to do what we are constantly encouraging them to do, read! It worked better than we could have ever hoped," said Cheri Brill, fifth-grade teacher, Meridian School.

“Rescue Readers really encouraged me to read more to raise money for the dogs and cats at Orphans of The Storm. Since I have been reading a lot more, I have also been reading books out of my comfort zone, thanks to the program” said Ananthaa, a student at Meridian School.

Courtney Frazier, Store Manager of Woodman's Buffalo Grove, said, "Woodman's was happy to be a part of Rescue Readers. It was a win-win for us to support Meridian School students and pets in need."

Sandy De Lisle, Head of Development and Community Outreach, Orphans of the Storm, said," the Rescue Readers” pilot program represents the best of community service.

“We have Orphans of the Storm volunteers collaborating with teachers and students to promote the humane treatment of animals, all with the support of a respected local business. We are so grateful to the children, volunteers, teachers, and business leaders who made this possible."

About Orphans of the Storm

Since 1928, the mission of Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter has been to take responsibility for each and every orphaned, abandoned, abused, or neglected dog and cat who reaches our doors; to take them in and shelter them; to provide the best medical and physical care possible for them; to nurture them back to health if need be; and finally to place them into warm, loving, adoptive homes where they can enjoy the lives they deserve.

Orphans of the Storm is located at 2200 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, IL. Visit: https://orphansofthestorm.org/ Or contact: Sandy De Lisle, Head of Development and Community Outreach. Phone: (847) 287-8031, sandy@orphansofthestorm.org.