Rolling Readers Space Coast, Inc.

I have been a Rolling Readers Space Coast volunteer for over 5 years and now I am a member of the Board of Directors. I am dedicated to this organization because they care about children and teachers. Every week I read to a group of students that are excited to hear new stories or a continuum of a chapter book. Our goal is to put new books into children's hands, enhance their love of reading, improve reading comprehension and model great reading habits. It is hard to quantify, who gets more out of reading...me or the class! If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, go to our website rollingreadersspacecoast.org and apply to be a volunteer. You will love seeing the children's eyes light up when you read to them weekly.

Rolling Readers Space Coast is one of those organizations that all non profits strive to be. It is locally based, only serving Brevard County Florida, and builds a community of volunteers who support local teachers by reading to young children. The volunteers become a community themselves. As a reader, I cannot express the magic in the classroom when a caring adult becomes a regular visitor that reads to them. This cannot be measured. Reading aloud to children increases listening comprehension, which leads to reading comprehension. This organization augments early literacy, and helps the young children to learn to read and to love to read.

I've been involved with Rolling Readers in some capacity since its inception. I've volunteered to read to students, helped with literacy events, co-chaired their Space Coast River Jam, and am now working with the group in an administrative role. I firmly believe that reading to children at a young age instills in them a love for good stories and books.

I was a reader for a kindergarten class this past school year. I had no idea how rewarding it would be. The kids got so excited when I showed up each week. As the year went on, my skills of reading to a group really improved, and that's when I really started to enjoy it. Looking out at all those little eyes paying attention to the story (most of the time,) is a great experience. I can't wait to do it again this year

I volunteered for the first time this year with Rolling Readers. What an amazing experience! The kids light up when the reading lady shows up and the classroom teachers are happy too.

If you're looking to begin your volunteer journey, start here. This is a win win for everyone involved.,not to mention RR staff is the best!

The best nonprofit organization to belong to:
One thing I love to do is be a Rolling Reader. I read to pre-K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students, who are always excited to see me when I arrive in their classroom. They eagerly anticipate my visits, love to share their stories, and express their own love for reading. At the end of the school year, they are thrilled to receive the gift of books from the program. Their enthusiasm highlights the positive impact I am having on their literacy journey.
Mrs. Sandra Ramos

I'm so glad my church brought the Rolling Readers program to me! I received so much joy from working with my kindergarten kids this past year. The first day I told them that I did not have children or grand kids and that they would be my pretend grand kids. The kids were very impressed with that and referred to it throughout the year. Not only were they my joy, but they were so excited to have me come each week to read to them and would line up to hug me at the end of our half hour reading. As the teacher instructed they would asked, "Please Ms. Linda may I have a hug! I have never had so many hugs in my life! Working with the class teacher was a pleasure as she often requested I focus on a specific subject. How excited the kids were to have stories from different countries and then to see were those countries were on the class room globe! Rolling Readers has grown in Teacher Requests during this past year and I'm excited to sign up for another year with the wonderful program. I need my HUGS!

I have been a Rolling Reader read-aloud volunteer at Cape View Elementary School for 4 years and it’s difficult to adequately express what this wonderful organization has meant to my life. I so look forward to seeing those excited little faces every week and hearing their animated comments on the books I read to them. I am so grateful that Rolling Readers exists and has given me the opportunity to share my joy of reading with these sweet students.

After moving to Florida 21 yrs ago I read about R.R. in newspaper. Eventually I signed up to read at Endeavour School in Cocoa. So for over19 years I have enjoyed reading to the children, whether it was prK, kindergarten or 1st grade, even special Ed. class. Now I read to 2 first grade classes at H.C.Anderson in Rockledge.
Reading is so important for young children and I look forward each week to see my "kids". sometimes I bring props such as toys, dolls,cars for the story. Children look forward to their R.R. coming (not a parent or a teacher) to share their love of reading. At end of termR.R. gives each child their own book, with their name inside, to bring home. The happiness on their faces is priceless. R.R. organization has encouraged the love of reading , Amber and her team always helpful to us especially when new laws were passed about what types of books we can read, she gave us lists of
stories to use. I thank R.R. for giving me the opportunity to be with the kids,to answer their questions, to see their smiles and to share my love of reading.

I have been a Rolling Reader volunteer for nine years and I’ve worked in four different Brevard County schools in grades Kindergarten through Third Grade. It is widely known that elementary school children gain so much by being read to. Books entertain them, educate them, and get them thinking. During the thirty minute reading time the kids do much more than passively listen to a grownup reading them a story; instead, they actively participate by asking questions and discussing characters, plot, vocabulary, and themes. They are encouraged to talk about what they think is happening in the story and they are challenged to guess what might happen on the next page or in the next chapter. Rolling Readers Space Coast is a low cost but high impact program, and I hope it is funded for many years to come.

Last year I read to two kindergarten classes. I love walking into the room and having the kids great me saying "The reader's here. The reader's here." Their school was on a trip to the zoo - a place I also volunteer. They saw me at the zoo and mobbed with the same refrain: The reader's here! It is so rewarding to engage these kids in great kids books.

I am proud to say that I have served on the Board of Directors since 2009. This is by far one of the most deserving organizations that works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our children. The staff, board members, and countless volunteers dedicate their time and energy every day to fulfill the mission of Rolling Readers Space Coast.

Reading has always been one of my passions and when I saw an article in Florida Today about Rolling Readers 21 years ago I jumped at the opportunity. Yes, I have been with them since their inception and hope to continue many years to come.

I have encouraged friends to do the same and they come back to tell me what a joy it brings them when they see the excitement of the children when they enter the classroom to read to them.

When I walk into the classroom they almost knock me over from seeing me come to the classroom weekly to read to them. If I miss a week, they want to know why and where I went instead of coming to them. They love to read and once a year Rolling Readers gives them a book to keep and for some it is the only book they have and are so excited. I encourage them to read at home to brothers, sisters, and parents.

The bond I have formed with some of the children is unbelievable. I see them at the markets, malls and they come running up to me and the parents wonder who is that lady hugging my children. They immediately tell them who I am. The parents thank me for my time with them.

So you can see it does not stop in the classroom, I go on class trips, attend their concerts and graduations. I have become a part of their life. I even go to the HS plays and concerts and some of the children have recognized me.

They also have favorite authors and ask me to bring those books again, even if I have read them before.

My goal at the end of the school year has been to have them become passionate about reading as I have always been.

If anyone tells me they want to give back to the community, I tell them volunteer for Rolling Readers.

Kaye Koines

My mother co-found this organization in 1997 & has continued to thrive and serve and grow! I am proud to serve on the board, as our school contact, and with a great retired teacher/reader!

I’ve worked for them off and on when I can for the last several years, and the joy on the children’s faces when I read, and the joy that I see when I give them their very own special book as a present from Rolling Readers, is incomparable! It’s truly wonderful to see them come up to me when I get there holding their own books, either that they’ve been given by Rolling Readers, or that they’ve checked out for themselves at the library, and talk to me excitedly about what they are reading! Words cannot describe this wonderful service! Truly giving the joy of reading to children so they will later read for themselves!!❣️❣️❤️❤️❤️

Rolling Readers is simply essential to Brevard County and the Space Coast of Florida. Genuine and passionate volunteers like Merrie Sofet make this program simply the best!

This program makes my friend just as happy as it does the kids!

I have friends who have been involved with Rolling Readers for a while and some for just this year. They have all been blessed more than the kids have in this program. It it such an experience to read to the children and see the smiles on their faces. And the children are so blessed to have someone to care enough to take the time to read to time. It may be the only time someone takes the time to read to them

As a teacher, Rolling Readers is a great benefit to our students. It’s very important for our students to build their reading skills to help them be successful. I really appreciate the great work they do!

Love rolling readers!! The best of Brevard spends time with kids , what a way to bring joy !!
My favorite reader is Merrie Sofet :)
She is talented and she is full of joy !! ❤️
Thank you for volunteering !

Amazing organization!! Thank you for all you do with the children!

I have an amazing friend who volunteers with this organization and I can only imagine the smiles she brings to the children’s faces!! Keep up the good work!

For more than 20 years, RRSC staff members and volunteers have worked with Brevard County schools, teachers, and students to ensure our children develop the fundamental reading skills needed to excel in class and in our community. The bond and anticipation that grows each week between the classroom readers and the students is priceless and often results in an enhanced appreciation and love for reading that lasts a lifetime.

I have been a volunteer reader and tutor for Rolling Readers Space Coast, Inc. (RRSC) for the past 8 years. It is impossible to express the tremendous amount of joy I get from reading too and tutoring the children that RRSC serves in Brevard County elementary schools. To see the smiles on student faces when I walk into their classroom each week with new books to read warms me through and through. And to listen to the improvements the children working on their reading skills make in the tutoring program each time they read a book and move to the next level, makes me feel good to know that my positive encouragement and support has given them the confidence to grow as readers. I truly love being a part of this wonderful organization!!

I'm so excited about my relationship with Rolling Readers Space Coast. The staff and volunteers make this a wonderful organization to work with in serving the needs of children.

Even though my relationship with them has only been for a short while, the impact that I see on the face of the children, teachers and parents have been absolutely overwhelming in terms of the program reach and effectiveness. Rolling Readers Space Coast has now been in operations for more than 20 years and it now has generations of kids who are either in high school now or even college,that owe their love of reading to this great organization.

I'm very proud to be called a Rolling Reader and I expect their effectiveness to last for years to come.

Since starting with Rolling Readers Space Coast, I've had the opportunity to work with a large number of students in the county. I participate in the Read Aloud program and the Reading Skills program. All the children are very excited for the read aloud, and I can see how our program encourages them to love reading. As for the reading skills, those children get access to one-on-one help in improving their reading skills that they wouldn't get otherwise. Overall I believe this nonprofit has an amazing idea, and they're working very hard for children's futures. I'm happy to be a part of it.

My first grade kids that I read to LOVE having a story read to them...I work closely with the teachers to make sure I can read books that are relevant to what the kids are learning and the stories be age appropriate....If I can, I try to do "show and tell" with items that I have collected in my travels around the world. My dad read to me every night while I was growing up...and a lot of children do not have that in their lives in our present world for many reasons...I know that the kids really enjoy the books that I read to them and so do the teachers...It gives the teachers a break too and since I LOVE to READ ..I`m hoping the kids will feel the same way !!!

This organization offers volunteers a real chance to work inside local public school classrooms and help make a difference for our low-income, at-risk elementary students. For 30 minutes each week, I read aloud stories, encourage children to improve their reading skills and help them discover the joy of books. It is as if we have our own “book club” and the goal is to get them to want to read!

Reading literacy is the foundation for all education. Even the Supreme Court weighed in on the importance of reading by stating that “...Illiteracy is an enduring disability, the inability to read and write will handicap the individual deprived of a basic education each and every day of his life.”

I can’t think of a better use of my time then to reach out and offer support to our community children. What can be more rewarding? Rolling Readers has made that possible for me for 18 years, and they make that possible every year for hundreds of other volunteers as well.

I first became a volunteer with Rolling Readers Space Coast in 2003. I read to a kindergarten class and a first grade class. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but could not continue the following year because I was working five days a week. A few years ago, the college where I worked went to a four day work week, so I decided to get involved with Rolling Readers again. I have been a classroom reader for the past two years where I have read to first and second graders for half an hour one day a week. Each week I go to the library or go to our library website and choose books to share with the children. When they see the envelope containing the due date card, they instantly recognize the book as coming from the library. As we read the story, we talk about vocabulary, the illustrations and other reading skills associated with critical thinking. The children are so eager to share and participate and their insights are often right on track as well as wonderfully amusing! They entertain me as much as I am hoping to entertain them! Additionally, the teachers are so appreciative and give me such a warm welcome when I come into the classroom. The time I spend there is often the highlight of my week! I have always loved books and being a Rolling Reader allows me to share my love of reading. One of my favorite days is when I get to hand out the free books we are privileged to give to the children in the classrooms where we read. The children are so excited and pleased with their new book and when we read it together, sometimes they take it literally and they read out loud with me! What fun! Rolling Readers Space Coast is certainly a worthy organization as they reinforce and inspire the love of reading to our future generations!

I have been an advocate and volunteer for many organizations since forced medical retirement in 2004. NONE as given me the enjoyment and feeling of accomplishment as being a Rolling Reader Space Coast has done for me.
I have always had a deep love of reading beginning as a child and continuing now as a senior. I shared this love of reading with my daughter as an infant and with my grand children as well. Now I get to bring this joy to elementary school students in Palm Bay, FL through this amazing program. You know you have touched the lives of those you read to when they see you in a local store, and come running to you screaming your name so they can give you a hug. When they bring me to their parents to introduce me...you can't remove the smile from my face.
Thank You Rolling Readers Space Coast!!!

Rolling Readers Spacecoast (RRSC) is an awesome non-profit that does a tremendous job in supporting the Brevard County Florida community children. RRSC is focused on connecting children with reading, promoting their love of reading and enlightening those who may not otherwise be exposed to the love of reading. This is accomplished through volunteer readers, fundraising, and book giveaways in their community. RRSC has several programs to include Read Aloud
(classroom group reading) and small group and one-on-one mentoring programs. Here are some quick facts from 2016 school year:

26 Elementary Schools Served

172 Read Aloud Volunteers Read to
290 Classrooms Filled with 5215 Students

39 Tutor/Mentor Volunteers Helped
54 Students Improve Reading Skills

5269 Children Received a Gift Book During Our Annual Give-Away
764 Additional Books Distributed from Community Donations Received


But, it doesn't stop with just reading in classrooms. Rolling Readers Spacecoast also collaborates with community libraries to hold “PJ Night at the Library”. RRSC reads stories to pajama clad kids and their parents and encourages “out of classroom” reading. The evening also has time for each child/family to obtain a library card and check out a book. Does it work? One parent shared with RRSC that she was not a good reader, but she wanted her daughter to love books, hence the reason she was attending PJ night. Mission accomplished!

RRSC also partners with Junior League, Boys and Girls Club, United Way and others to support and run Summer Slide programs that are aimed at maintaining reading level of students over the summer so they do not “slide” or regress in their reading abilities.

Here are a few testimonials from educators, school site coordinators, and RRSC volunteers.

"This was our first year with Rolling Readers, and we have been extremely pleased with the program. I have heard nothing but positive responses from my teachers. Thank you for supporting our school."
~ Elementary Site Coordinator

"I am very impressed with the Rolling Reader volunteers and the gains that my students make each year due to their diligence and efforts. Thank you for the opportunity to have Rolling Readers present in our schools."
~ Elementary School Teacher

"This is by far the most heart-warming volunteer job I have ever taken. When the kids spy me at the door, their excitement is overwhelming. My greatest challenge is for the book I have selected to read and share with them, will encourage them and reaffirm the tremendous joy and knowledge they can get from reading. During the Dr. Seuss Birthday week I quoted and we discussed his saying, 'The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you'll go.' "
~ Read Aloud Volunteer

Community enrichment is alive and well thanks to Rolling Readers Spacecoast. There is no question why RRSC should be considered One Great Non Profit.

We have many volunteers who love to go to a classroom and read to the children.

The children, teacher, and I are excited to have this experience in their classroom.

We always with the teachers tell the children how important it is to be able to read books, etc.

I try to always reward the children who listen and obey the classroom rules while I am there.

Rolling Readers is a wonderful program that shows our love of reading to the children and how important it is to them.

Sandy Gulbrandsen

For the past 20 years, Rolling Readers Space Coast has been an welcome presence for young children in Title 1 classrooms throughout our community. Hundreds of volunteers meet with thousands of children every week to share their love of reading and inspire children to do the same. Many children receive the first book their family has ever had through the generosity of the Brevard County School System and our loyal sponsors. Rolling Readers has made a profound and lasting impact for two generations and is poised to continue into the future.

I have been a Board Member since 2011.

Mark Broms

I love the opportunity to connect with a school in my community. They really appreciate my presence there each week and I get to see kids get excited about reading as the year goes on. This is my third year and it is truly a highlight of my week ❤️

Thank you for allowing me to share my enthusiasm for Rolling Readers Space Coast! It all started when my husband got honored as a "Community Literacy Advocate" in 2016. During the event that acknowledged such literacy leaders, I learned about the Rolling Readers mission and was affected by the issue of reading aloud to children in our local schools and by the quality of our RRSC organization. The ladies that work tirelessly in our Rolling Readers office are dedicated to the cause, efficient, communicative and friendly. I also worked with RRSC during their Summer program that was held at a local Boys and Girls Club. Our goal was to help these kids keep up their reading skills throughout the Summer and to keep the love of reading alive. I was again impressed with the organization, the activities that they developed and choice of reading materials for the very needy kids that we dealt with. Our Rolling Reader Space Coast employees and volunteers are so very compassionate about reading. You continue to enrich many lives! Thank you!

Love this organization!!!! It turns kids on to the fantastic, imaginative and life-building world of reading. What could be more important? Being able to read is one of the proven keys to success for our young people. And these kids soak it up. Reading to them is a blast!

I have been a volunteer for 5 years and the experience with this organization has been wonderful! I have been a volunteer reader in Grades K - 5 and a small group tutor. Every age is receptive to a reader in their classroom who shares the love of reading. Throughout the year in all the programs, it is a joy to see the children improve and become excited about reading. There are the children who remember vocabulary from the stories and the children who tell you they went to the library to get more books from an author presented during the reading.
Witnessing the joyful expression on a child's face as a story is read to them is priceless!

I first volunteered for Rolling Readers Space Coast, Inc. in 2009 as a Tutor/Mentor. Since then I have also had the pleasure of being a Reader for their Read Aloud program. What a joy it is to know that I have helped children develop their reading skills, shown them how much fun it is to read, and helped them understand that the better they can read, the more they can do with their lives! Every little bit helps, that is for sure! It is amazing the positive impact that this small literacy organization, celebrating their 20th Year of Service, has had on 5,000+ students, their parents, teachers, and the community surrounding community.

Being a part of Rolling Readers Space Coast Inc has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The students are so receptive and excited when "The Rolling Reader Lady" arrives. I really love sharing my enjoyment of reading and hope it will encourage them to always be interested in books and reading.

Working directly with students using resources provided by rolling readers. Poor readers hate to read. Rolling readers program helps struggling students learn the building blocks to reading so they know reading can be fun.

I have been a second grade Read Aloud volunteer for twelve years. Each year is a treasure. Sharing books, ideas, thoughts and experiences with these students is one of the highlights of the week. To watch their understanding of literature grow throughout the school year is a joy.

I became a volunteer for Rolling Readers Space Coast, Inc. in 2009. I was a tutor for their one-on-one 2nd Grade Reading Skills Program. I worked with four (4) students who needed just a little more one-on-one time to improve their reading proficiency. I was thrilled when each student began to improve in the areas of comprehension and fluency and achieved their reading goals. One student, in particular, whose first language was not English, began to really blossom. Seeing them all move on to 3rd grade with renewed confidence in themselves as proficient readers was a joy! I love this organization so much that when they asked me to come work for them as part of a grant during 2010-11, I accepted. The grant has since expired, and I am still here as a part-time Program Coordinator, helping to schedule volunteers for all three of our programs, with a focus on the one-on-one program I used to do, and our 3rd Grade, Grade-Level Reading Intervention Program.

I have always been passionate about reading and wanting to see all young children have opportunities for educational advancement. So when I looked to my community for a place to serve, Rolling Readers came to the top of my list. This outstanding literacy organization places volunteers in one of three programs within the Title One schools in Brevard county. I have the privilege of volunteering in the tutor/mentor program. We work throughout the school year in a one-on-one relationship with reluctant second grade readers. It is amazing that when you give a little extra time and attention, a young child will blossom in front of your eyes. Last year I worked with a second grade little boy. Spanish was his first language and the only language spoken at home. Although he could read aloud the English words and understand each word separately, he did not seem to comprehend the entire story concept and his fluency was very very choppy. One day I can to tutor and he could not summarize what he had read the day before. I told him I would read aloud to him, up to where he had stopped. As I read, I made sure to be animated, giving all the characters their own voice. When it came time for my little reader to begin, he picked up right where I had left off. He was so filled with expression, but better yet, the entire story came together and he had complete understanding of the text. This was my student's true window of opportunity. From there, he just took off...his future bright. He became a reader!