Local Retiree Sounds Off on Volunteering

Local retiree and volunteer, Wanda Donica, reads to elementary school-aged children as part of her Catch the Reader program at the McAllen Memorial Library in McAllen, Texas.
Photo © 2005, VRP

Edinburg, TX July 1, 2005 - Oklahoma native, Wanda Donica has dedicated her life to education and teaching reading and language arts to students of all ages, while raising three children. She now instills her love for reading to her eight grandchildren.

Donica holds a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist and has taught every grade in public school for thirty-nine years, with one summer devoted to teaching college students. Now, she devotes most of her time volunteering with the McAllen Memorial Library.

“ Why do I volunteer,” Donica repeats the question, “The answer is that I enjoy the work I am doing with my Catch the Reader program at the McAllen Memorial Library. It is rewarding to see the children read ahead, or finish the book. I find it fulfilling to watch a child eager to answer a question or state a conclusion he has reached on his/her own. I feel like I am dealing with some of the future leaders of the next generation. And I get to watch them grow and develop into the wonderful men and women they will become. Can anyone say they touch the future the way a person who deals with children can?”

In her words, Catch the Reader is a program based on the idea that the only way to learn to read is by reading. The only way to get a child to read is to make it fun.

“ To do this, I choose books I love and try to transfer that love to the children by reading the first four chapters of the book aloud,” she said. The library then makes the books available for the children to finish and rewards are given to them for their effort.

Any child is welcome to join Donica’s summer “Catch the Reader” Program at the McAllen Memorial Library on Monday and Tuesday of each week from 3:30 PM to about 5 o’clock. Please contact this website if you would like more information.

The University of Texas-Pan American’s Volunteer Resource Program (VRP) is currently recruiting students and retirees to fill volunteer opportunities with nonprofits all across the Rio Grande Valley. The VRP works closely with the community in promoting service among our retirees.

For more information on how you or your student organization can volunteer with the VRP, contact us, at 956/292-7566 or e-mail at volunteer@utpa.edu.