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Current Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering with RRSC but not sure where to start? Create an account on Vome Volunteer to fill out our general volunteer interest form or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at hannabell@raising-readers.org or 515-520-8686. For help creating your Vome account, check out "Creating Your Vome Account."

Step into Storybooks

We are so excited to invite you to Step into Storybooks on Saturday, April 11th at North Grand Mall in Ames. This is one of our favorite days of the year, and we would love for you to be part of the fun. The event runs from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with volunteer shifts available from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Each shift is about two hours, so you can pick a time that works best for your schedule.

We have many different ways for volunteers to be involved with this event. Volunteers can greet families at check-in, hand out books at the gift table, or even dress up and bring storybook characters to life for the kids. Every role contributes to making the day lively, joyful, and full of imagination and books. If you would like to join us, you can sign up using the link below or find the opportunity on our Vome homepage. You can also email the Volunteer Coordinator at hannabell@raising-readers.org to see what is available and get signed up.

Step into Storybooks Sign Up Link: https://share.vomevolunteer.com/jBrbDWZZo1b

Classroom Reading Across Story County

Join Raising Readers in Nevada or Story City to read to elementary school students! More information about Ames classroom reading opportunities will be shared in the near future.

Classroom Reading at Central Elementary School in Nevada

Date: Tuesday, April 14th

Time: Reading spots are scheduled in a 30 minute segments starting at 8:30 AM and running until 3:00 PM

Location: Central Elementary School (925 H Ave., Nevada, IA 50201)

If you’d like to participate, please sign up here: Central Elementary School Classroom Reading Volunteer Sign Up

Classroom Reading at Roland Story Elementary School

Date: Tuesday, April 14th

Time: Reading spots are scheduled in a 30 minute segments starting at 9:00 AM and running until 10:00 AM

Location: Roland Story Elementary School (900 Hillcrest Drive Story City, IA 50248)

If you’d like to participate, please sign up here: Roland Story Elementary School Classroom Reading Volunteer Sign Up

Reading Buddies Volunteer Applications

All students in our Spring 2026 Reading Buddies sessions will have been paired with a volunteer. If you are interested in receiving future communications regarding Reading Buddies volunteer opportunities, please use this link to be added to our volunteer contact list.

Reading Buddies pairs volunteers with early elementary students to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and foster a love of reading in a supportive setting. Volunteers play a meaningful, hands-on role by:

Reading and engaging in literacy activities with up to two children
Encouraging positive reading habits
Supporting children as they practice fluency and comprehension
Creating a warm, welcoming environment for young readers
Contact Hanna Bell at hannabell@raising-readers.org or 515-520-8686 for more information

Story Pals Volunteer Applications

All students in our Spring 2026 Story Pals sessions will have been paired with a volunteer. If you are interested in receiving future communications regarding Story Pals volunteer opportunities, please use this link to be added to our volunteer contact list.

Story Pals pairs volunteers with preschool students to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and foster a love of reading in a supportive setting. Volunteers play a meaningful, hands-on role by:

Reading and holding conversation with up to two children
Encouraging positive reading habits
Supporting children as they expand vocabulary and critical thinking skills
Creating a warm, welcoming environment for young readers
Contact Hanna Bell at hannabell@raising-readers.org or 515-520-8686 for more information

Playful Pages Family Workshops Volunteer Applications

The 2026 Playful Pages sessions will be hosted at North Grand Mall on the third Saturday of each month. Volunteers can sign up for as many or as few sessions as they want and are expected to be onsite from 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM. Playful Pages Family Workshops is an opportunity for story time, caregiver strategies, and collaborative activities that build language and literacy through family play! Our volunteers work closely with Robyn, the Family Literacy Specialist, to greet families at the door and check them in, assist with on the spot registration, help out with station activities, and complete other tasks as assigned.

Winter 2026 Playful Pages Volunteer Sign Up