United Way Volunteer Makes A Difference With A Story And A Day Of Service

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Scores of volunteers around the state took a day off to give back. It's part of the United Way's annual day of action. For students at one school, the service day comes with a free gift.

Gigi Barnett has the story.

Dr. Patti Vining spent the last 45 years treating the youngest patients as a pediatrician.

Back in June, she retired from Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Friday, Vining surrounded herself with children at Moravia Park Elementary School, volunteering in the United Way's annual day of action.

"It's fun to come here and play with them, when they're all feeling well," Vining said.

Volunteer reading at Moravia Park is just one of 33 different community projects across the region.

And, thanks to the mayor's reading club, each first and second-grader at Moravia gets a book to take home.

"It's important for them to see that someone else outside of their teacher is telling them that reading is important. It helps that they're also getting a book for them to take home. So, they're super excited about that." Amber McClinton, Moravia Park teacher.

"This group of children read superbly for first grade children. They're remarkably good. And, they love it; you can feel it," Vining said.

But how do these first-graders feel about their volunteer reader?

"I like her voice. She read the book nice," said Daquan Bailey, first-grader.

About 150 volunteer participated in the service day across the state.

The first- and second-graders at Moravia Park Elementary received free books thanks to the Weinberg Foundation.

Other Local News: