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Last month, 15 officers and members of the Palmetto Senior High Key Club
spent the day at Lily C. Evans Elementary School in Liberty City interacting
with students in the kindergarten through fourth grades. The club had
collected more than 100 books and several stuffed animals to give to
children of the school to encourage them to read.
 Key Club members spent the day reading to younger students and listening
to older ones read.
"It was one of the best and most enjoyable projects we've ever done
and we're coming back," said Key Club president Kiran Ali.
The story behind L.C. Evans Elementary is certainly one that draws
service-minded people back. Built in 1958, the school has an enrollment of
almost 600 students in pre-K through fifth grade. During the last two years,
led by principal Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, teachers, staff and a group of
community volunteers have really "gone the extra mile" to help the
students achieve improved reading scores. Students often are visited at home
on some nights to ensure that books are available and read.
The school also has a full-time nurse and counselors available to help
students with special needs. Approval to offer dental services is being
sought. That mind-set got Ms. Mindingall interested in the idea of student
mentors and led her to accept the Key Club's offer to bring books and read
to and with her students.
Students interacting with students achieved some very special results the
day of the visit as evidenced by the hugs, smiles, waves and high fives that
were exchanged. Plans are being made for return visits and to incorporate
expanded activities.
Ali sees this type of project as having use in other schools that need
help in improving student reading.
"Helping the community is what Key Club is all about," said
Ali, "especially children."
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