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Why Volunteer with the Reach Out and Read Program?
Donate New and Gently Used Children's Books
- New Books: Board Books or Books for children under five years of age
- Gently-Used Books: Up to a 4th grade reading level
- No torn cover or pages
- Culturally diverse - written in any language
- No books expressing religious or political views
- No romance novels
- No books published before 2000
- Find out more in our Giving section »
Volunteering with Reach Out and Read®
What to expect when applying to be a Reach Out and Read® Volunteer
We hope to make your volunteer time with us an exciting and rewarding experience. Please note the application process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Reach Out and Read® Volunteer Brochure
Adult and College Volunteers
As a Reach Out and Read Volunteer, you will help to make the waiting time more comfortable for children and families. Our volunteers provide exposure to literature and music, while reinforcing developing language skills. Volunteers transform the waiting area into a positive learning environment by incorporating thematic based activities.
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Engage children in literacy and music related activities
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Introduce language development through a thematic based curriculum which meets state standards in science, language and math
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Read books to children while they are waiting to see their pediatrician
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Incorporate books and music to create a fun interactive learning environment
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Initiate interactive activities: coloring, puzzles, etc.
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Introduce musical instruments and musical notation
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Make reference information readily available for families such as library membership applications, local music resources, newsletters, and adult literacy information
Adult and College Application Process - Apply Now
*If you will be volunteering as part of a group you are not required to complete an individual application.
- 6 month or 60 hour commitment
- Completion of volunteer application, including three references
- Interview
- Security Screening
- Attend 3 hour hospital orientation
- Attend on-site Reach Out and Read® training
- Annual Retraining
Volunteens
The goal of our Volunteen program is to offer teens service learning opportunities in a healthcare setting. Teens follow the same job description as volunteer readers and music volunteers. We accept teens into the Reach Out and Read® Program twice a year.
- Complete a teen application, including two references and a parent letter
- Attend a screening session
- Attend 3 hour hospital orientation
- Attend on-site Reach Out and Read® training
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Deadlines for applying to the teen program are:
- April 1 - Summer Program
- September 15 – School-year program
Volunteen Application Process - Apply Now
Corporate & Group Volunteers
Giving back is important to many people, but time constraints often get in the way. We offer an opportunity conducive for corporate, educational and civic organizations. Through our corporate and group program, small groups choose a day, time and center to adopt. Members of the group then rotate volunteering each week. One person may only volunteer once every several weeks depending on how big the group is. We work closely with each group to ensure goals and expectations are met.
There are many opportunities for volunteer groups, please call us at (614) 355-0520 for additional information.
Nationwide Children's Hospital
700 Children's Drive Columbus, Ohio 43205 614.722.2000
700 Children's Drive Columbus, Ohio 43205 614.722.2000