It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Lisa Link!

Lisa started volunteering with Book'em about four years ago when she moved to Nashville,and is now involved in just about every way possible. She's a Reading for Reading volunteer, RIF reader, RIF book transporter, Books for Nashville's Kids book processor and photographer for all of our major events. She's our first call when we have a surprise need, and she's almost always able to fit us into her schedule while also running a business, volunteering with other organizations, and running a family. For this small staff of five, she's truly a Superhero for Book'em.

Lisa learned about Book'em through the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association of Nashville, whose support of Book'em stems from the sorority's national philanthropic roots in Reading is Fundamental. As a former educator for 25 years, she was looking for a way to continue her passion. for early childhood education. "The Ready for Reading program is perfect for me - it gives me a great way to keep my hand in education and stay connected to the classroom." As a Ready for Reading volunteer, Lisa visits her designated Pre-K classroom at Cambridge Early Learning Center once a week to help students build their early literacy skills. But in true Lisa form, she goes beyond her volunteer duties to support the class even further. "I do read to the kids, but I also help in any way that I can. If I see a need, I'll just jump in and help the teachers."

In fact, Lisa worked with Kappa to fund a special project with her class. She combined her education background and photography expertise to have her class perform the “The Three Little Pigs”, take pictures of the play, and then create Three Little Pigs books, starring her students in the photos, for each child to take home.

You're probably thinking, what does Book'em do to get such a great volunteer like Lisa? We were wondering the same thing, so we asked! "Well, first of all, I love the staff. I like that I feel comfortable with all of you, and I feel very appreciated here. But it's really the kids and the work that I'm able to do through Book'em. I build such a great connection with the kids every year, and I do feel like my support in the classroom is making a difference, for both the kids and the teachers."

Lisa's Why: Supporting early literacy makes a difference!

Favorite Children's Book: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

To learn more about Lisa's Photography, visit www.kplphotography.com

To learn more about our Ready for Reading program, contact Connie at [email protected]