By Branden Matassa ’22, OTG editor

LVC community service is partnering with the FRESH Start Emergency shelter for Book Buddies, an opportunity to help less fortunate children in the Lebanon community.

Students will get the chance to read with children and engage in creative play such as building with blocks, working with letter puzzles and playing with Play-Doh.

“In the past we saw students being really excited for this opportunity each time we went,” Jen Liedtka, LVC’s service and volunteerism coordinator, said. “So we are looking forward to getting back at it now.”

Originally this program was in place before the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of conversations Liedtka had with the United Way, Lebanon County Christian Ministries and Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness. Sadly, it came to a halt due to safety reasons.

Now that the event is back on schedule, Liedtka expressed her appreciation for its return.

“Living without homes, their parents are often under a huge amount of stress and don’t always have the time or resources to engage in these ways with their children,” Liedtka said. “So we are thankful to give them a little time in the day to read and play together or just talk about their day.”

The start date has been pushed back a week because the shelter is currently transitioning its overnight space. Book Buddies will likely now begin the week after spring break on Wednesday, March 16, and continue on every Wednesday afterward. Masking is required for all service events.