WASHINGTON (June 3, 2009)—Today, in his Washington, D.C. office, Congressman Ben Chandler congratulated Irvine resident Elrene “Elke” Davis for winning the 2009 National Volunteer of the Year Award, given by the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program. As a volunteer for the Estill County RIF program, she has helped countless students access books and foster an interest in reading. As part of this program, Chandler has participated and has read to a number of Estill County students as a guest reader.

“People like Elke inspire us all,” Chandler said. “She has done so much for Estill County and Central Kentucky… not to mention the dreams she has made come true for so many students through helping them discover the joy of reading.”

RIF is a nonprofit organization focusing on literacy for children and families, and it depends heavily on the work of volunteers. Officially serving as the Title I coordinator at the Estill County Board of Education, Davis has also served as an RIF coordinator for the Estill County program for 15 years, securing grants for RIF and training and encouraging students and other volunteers. 

Founded in 1966, RIF strives to involve parents, students, and the community in making reading enjoyable and integral to students’ lives. In addition to reading motivation events—like the one in which Chandler participated—the local RIF program provides access to books, including giving 1,890 local children at least three free books per year.
 
“I am so thankful that we have people like Ms. Davis helping to open and grow the minds of our young people with books. It is important to get children engaged in reading at an early age. In my own experience, reading to our three kids years ago when they were young has helped them tremendously today.  In my view, reading well and often makes you better at pretty much everything.”

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