Once a week, kids at Deer Run Elementary School get help with their reading skills, from a group of grandparents.

The program called Reading Rainbow, was started twenty-two years ago by Marnie Paterson, after she attended an anti-poverty conference in Calgary.

Marnie Paterson says she was touched by what the Prinicipal of Odgen School told here about the link between poverty and poor reading skills.

‘Couple of us then approached the principal of Odgen School to see if we would be welcome there and she graciously accepted us and we were there for about 10 years until that school closed.’ said Paterson

After Odgen School closed, Paterson approached Deer Run Elementary and they’ve now been there for 10 years.Marlene Ray, the principal of Deer Run says the reading grandparents are a wonderful resource for the teachers and especially for the children.

‘Every week they get a chance to sit down  and connect with an adult a caring adult. They know them they read they play a little game, they get their stickers and for those kids, that's a connection outside of home and outside of school that  just gives them more strength.’ said Ray

Darlene Kemp began volunteering twelve years ago and it didn’t take her long to see the value in what Marnie had started.

‘It's not just about reading,  they get excited about playing a game with you, about  seeing you, about knowing that you're interested  in their life and so I really do feel like our presence in the school makes a huge difference’ said Kemp

Paterson says it’s thrilling when a kid who’s been struggling has an ‘aha’ moment.

‘That is just delightful to be there for that AHA moment when they have a success that they hadn't been having and that makes it all worthwhile.’ Said Paterson

Kemp says it’s hard to not follow Marnie when she gets so enthused about helping kids.  

‘Marnie is a pied piper for any children's cause whether it's poverty or homelessness or literacy or whatever.’ said Kemp

For all she does to give kids the gift of literacy, Marnie Patterson is our Inspired Albertan this week.

(with files from Darrel Janz)