To volunteer with the Share With Me Program, email: [email protected]
Quality presentations can help memory care patients reconnect with their past, spark joy, and improve their well-being. Through personalized reminiscence activities, familiar narratives, and interactive presentation sessions, we create meaningful moments that encourage emotional connections.
The Read to Me Program gets a new name!
The Friends of the Sun City Libraries recently announced the renaming of their volunteer program from “Read to Me” to “Share With Me.” (See photos on the 'Social Events' tab)
Jim Reay, a Sun City resident and current volunteer, submitted the winning name in a renaming contest held by the Friends. He was acknowledged and the new name was revealed at a recent Friends event. This event also marked the one-year anniversary of the original program since its reopening from the pandemic. Reay said he came up with the name during a presentation, which required more than reading aloud to the residents. “On my first visit to a memory care home it became apparent that communication with residents required more than reading,” he said. “I found that sharing personal experiences and practical information with the aid of maps, props, hats, and music creates a stronger relationship and produces more feedback.” Originally from Minnesota, Reay has lived in Arizona for some time and now resides in Sun City. Retired from human resources, he tutors youth and enjoys volunteering. He has traveled the world and served in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart. He continues to serve today by volunteering at the Woodmark and The Gardens of Sun City, both facilities which host the program.
The new name reflects a broader experience of interaction as volunteers deliver more than read-aloud benefits to the memory care residents they serve. “Referring to the program as ‘Share With Me’ will ease explanation and facilitate its promotion,” said Irene Nathanson, program chair. “It will also help to attract more suitable volunteers.
The reference to sharing implies broader, active interaction, which embodies all the senses. In addition, the name clarifies what really happens in a session as volunteers do more than read aloud. More accurately, rich, diverse productions are crafted by gifted presenters who incorporate music, poetry, pictures, props, and play games to stimulate meaningful engagement and recall.” The "Readers" became "Presenters" to more accurately reflect their interactions.
“We are thankful to all the dedicated volunteers who are sharing their time and talents with memory care residents and we are proud to sponsor this program which supplements memory care activities with ties to reading, learning and libraries,“ said Sue Blechl, president of the Friends. To learn more about the “Share With Me” program and the Friends organization, visitsuncitylibraryfriends.org.
Jim Reay, a Sun City resident and current volunteer, submitted the winning name in a renaming contest held by the Friends. He was acknowledged and the new name was revealed at a recent Friends event. This event also marked the one-year anniversary of the original program since its reopening from the pandemic. Reay said he came up with the name during a presentation, which required more than reading aloud to the residents. “On my first visit to a memory care home it became apparent that communication with residents required more than reading,” he said. “I found that sharing personal experiences and practical information with the aid of maps, props, hats, and music creates a stronger relationship and produces more feedback.” Originally from Minnesota, Reay has lived in Arizona for some time and now resides in Sun City. Retired from human resources, he tutors youth and enjoys volunteering. He has traveled the world and served in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart. He continues to serve today by volunteering at the Woodmark and The Gardens of Sun City, both facilities which host the program.
The new name reflects a broader experience of interaction as volunteers deliver more than read-aloud benefits to the memory care residents they serve. “Referring to the program as ‘Share With Me’ will ease explanation and facilitate its promotion,” said Irene Nathanson, program chair. “It will also help to attract more suitable volunteers.
The reference to sharing implies broader, active interaction, which embodies all the senses. In addition, the name clarifies what really happens in a session as volunteers do more than read aloud. More accurately, rich, diverse productions are crafted by gifted presenters who incorporate music, poetry, pictures, props, and play games to stimulate meaningful engagement and recall.” The "Readers" became "Presenters" to more accurately reflect their interactions.
“We are thankful to all the dedicated volunteers who are sharing their time and talents with memory care residents and we are proud to sponsor this program which supplements memory care activities with ties to reading, learning and libraries,“ said Sue Blechl, president of the Friends. To learn more about the “Share With Me” program and the Friends organization, visitsuncitylibraryfriends.org.
The Read To Me Program is now SHARE WITH ME
- The program, originally called Book Friends, began in 2017 when Judy Wannamaker, then Vice President of Friends, and fellow Board member, Charlotte Klose, collaborated with the staff of Woodmark at Sun City to create an interactive reading program for their memory care residents.
- Then in March of 2020 the pandemic hit, and the reading program was discontinued. Volunteers took a hiatus, but the Friends Board remained active with monthly meetings and continued to support the branch libraries as they shifted to on-line program and services.
- Thankfully COVID eventually subsided, the Bookstore and libraries reopened, and the Friends got back to business! One of their top goals was to, once again, serve the community... particularly the elderly homebound. The need to restart the reading program in assisted living and memory care facilities seemed obvious, urgent, and the best way to start. To accomplish this, a committee was formed and outreach began to revive the dormant reading program... renamed, Read To Me.
- As the program has progressed, it was noted that we do more than "read" to people. We actually do mini-presentations that engage the residents, so the "Readers" became "Presenters" and on July 16th, 2024, the Read To Me Program officially became the Share With Me Program.
- The Friends of Sun City Libraries invite you to join the Read to Me program and become a volunteer Reader.
For more information regarding this rewarding Program, email: [email protected]