FRANKLIN SCHOOL VOLUNTEER WINS STATE HONOR FOR WORK

Teachers at Franklin Elementary School know Jacque Brotherton's phone number by heart. That's because when teachers need help, they call Brotherton, who calls volunteering her second career.

Brotherton was recently honored as the Outstanding Title I Volunteer for Missouri.

Brotherton's granddaughter, Taryn Scruggs, was a second-grader at the school who is enrolled in the Title I program, which serves children who need remedial help. Brotherton volunteers at least one day a week at the school. She also serves on Cape Girardeau's Title I Advisory Council.

Ruth Kasten, who teaches remedial reading at Franklin, nominated Brotherton for the honor, given annually.

"She has given so many honors to my program," Kasten said. "She is so patient and so efficient. She cares about the kids."

Brotherton spends much of her volunteer time listening to youngsters read stories.

"We talk and they read and we have a good time," she said. "I am very much behind reading. Anytime you can help kids, especially with reading, it's important. If you can give a child the love of reading now, it will last for the rest of her life."

In addition to listening, Brotherton is organizing a project to team Girl Scouts with youngsters involved in the Reading Recovery remedial reading program. She also encourages other parents of children enrolled in Title I programs to attend meetings.

"Jacque will even give rides to the parents so they will attend the meeting," Kasten said.

She also pitches in to do whatever needs doing at school. On Wednesday, she was helping at a school book sale. She will bind books, use a hole punch and stapler, sort supplies and has even painted designs on young faces.

Kasten said Brotherton's volunteer hours are invaluable to the school. "Whenever I need help, she comes."

Brotherton plans to continue her volunteer career. "I'll stay as long as long as they need me," she said.