Feedback from parents, children and volunteer readers has been overwhelmingly positive. The program coordinator can be either a staff member, such as the hospital's volunteer coordinator, or a community volunteer. Clinic-use patterns should be analyzed to determine the busiest times of the week. Reading hours can then be established at these times to reach a maximum number of children and to ensure a meaningful, reinforcing experience for volunteers. Volunteers can be found by contacting community service organizations, churches, retired educators, hospital volunteer services, etc.
Local media can help publicize the program and stimulate volunteer interest and donations.
Books can be borrowed from public libraries, provided that care is taken to prevent unsupervised handling of these books. Librarians and early-childhood educators in the community can recommend popular favorites for children. Local businesses and community organizations often support the program by donating funds for gift books and other supplies, such as puppets and stuffed animals to portray characters in the stories. We have to reach parents about the importance of reading when children are in their most receptive years, and a reading program such as Project Read is one way of setting an example to parents. But even individual encouragement can help promote literacy and its attendant benefits.