By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

Volunteer Carol Vierling helps tackle the literacy crisis head-on by donating her time to Operation Read, a literacy social services agency, which provides free books and tutoring. Vierling loves reading so this volunteer opportunity was an easy decision for her. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.

WARSAW — “You get to know other volunteers in a deeper way because they are working side-by-side,” Carol Vierling, volunteer at Operation Read. “When I winter in Texas, I miss being able to donate my time and talent.”

Vierling started her volunteer journey at Altrusa Club of Warsaw. Vierling has been volunteering for Altrusa for about seven years. She began at Altrusa after she had attended its annual bingo game, which supported the Beaman Home, which Altrusa started.

She got involved in Operation Read after several years and right after Executive Director DeeAnna Muraski gave a presentation at Altrusa.

“It is an exceptionally good fit with Altrusa’s focus on literacy,” Vierling explained. “Plus, I love reading.”

Operation Read is a literacy social services agency, which provides free books and tutoring. Operation Read covers the full human life-cycle through its various programs offered, including Baby’s First Library. The library “emphasizes the value of reading to children during the first five years of life” by providing a boxed set of three board books, Baby’s First Bookmark, early childhood literacy information and local library information.

In collaboration with Senior Services’ Mobile Meal program, Rotary, Kiwanis and Optimist Club volunteers, Operation Read is able to provide and distribute memory, puzzle, crossword and large-print books to local senior citizens in financial need. Operation Read helps children and adults who are in poverty.

“I like being able to directly support children to receive books,” Vierling explained. “I like being able to show my support just by showing up and letting them know that they matter and this organization is important.”

Some of her volunteer duties include helping coordinate Altrusa’s bingo event and putting together snack cups for the event; labeling and delivering books for Operation Read; writing cards of encouragement to Project Independence students; reading to children and helping create awareness of these organizations: Beaman Home, Altrusa and Operation Read.

Vierling has lived in Kosciusko County for over a decade and a half. She was raised in Indiana, lived in Georgia for over a decade and came back to the Hoosier state for work. She earned her nursing degree from Indiana University and continued on in her education journey to receive her MBA from Atlanta-based Mercer University.

She is now retired and donates about 20 hours per week to volunteering. When she is not volunteering, she enjoys working with wool appliques, reading and going on walks.

“Volunteering has helped me move away from thinking only of myself and helps me think of others,” Vierling mentioned. “Just try it once. You do not have to make a lifelong commitment. But try it.”

Operation Read is constantly looking for new volunteers and donations to continue their mission to “encourage the lifelong love of learning through reading.”

Currently, Operation Read is looking for volunteer adult tutors. A teaching degree is not required.

“Talk to your friends and neighbors who volunteer and go with them when they volunteer so you are not going alone,” Vierling suggested.

For more information, call (574) 529-5783 or email [email protected].