WATSONVILLE — Almost one year ago, Godfrey Pernell made a $50,000 donation to the Watsonville Public Library to create a program that would both honor his daughter and help young people develop a lifelong love of reading.
The six-week Deanne Pernell Reading Mentors Program — also known as Reading Buddies — pairs small groups with a mentor, whose task will be to read to their young charges and encourage them to read out loud. The program kicks off on Oct. 12.
The library is looking for participants, and for volunteers to help with the free program.
Pernell’s gift was a way for him to memorialize his daughter Deanne, who died in 2014 at the age of 59.
Deanne Pernell, who taught third grade at MacQuiddy Elementary School for 20 years, had a special fondness for teaching young people to read.
The volunteers will then be tasked with reading a book to the kids, and with helping them as they take turns reading.
According to Children’s Librarian Susan Nilsson, parents frequently inquire about reading help for their children, a service busy librarians cannot provide.
“It’s something we’ve always wanted to offer,” Nilsson said.
Parents will receive coaching on reading with their kids, and how to be more involved in their education.
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Volunteer mentors must commit to come on weekends for six weeks. Training is provided. Kids who finish the program get a free book.
For information, email su***********@ci***************.org or call 768-3416.
