Readers for Life: Mark and Nancy Luster, Pioneer member and partner of Washington Chapter 30, created this project 14 years ago as a way to help public school teachers and reading specialists get supplemental books for students who are struggling with their reading skills. In most cases the Readers For Life books are for elementary school students in Title 1 programs, or in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Pioneers work with teachers to get individual class information, such as reading levels, number of students, favorite authors, etc. Pioneers then place an order with the publisher for books —not textbooks, but enjoyable books aimed at encouraging reading; books that build vocabulary at the same time.
Over the years the project has won several awards, including Regional awards within the CenturyLink Pioneers, and two national TelecomPioneers awards. In the last few years, the Qwest Foundation has generously provided a large grant to Readers For Life, in recognition of its merits as an Educational project. A total of 8 other Centurylink Pioneers Chapters have participated in the Readers for Life program in their own geographic areas. Over 150,000 books have been given out over the years. It is very exciting to know that Readers For Life, which had its origins with the Pioneers in East King County, Washington, has reached so much of the CenturyLink territory. It is hoped that in subsequent years, the Readers For Life project will expand to reach the entire CenturyLink Pioneer Territory!
Playground Maps: A 20' x 38' colorful map painted by Pioneers on playground asphalt or concrete provides students and their teachers with a tangible method of learning geography through games and challenges.