BY: BRANDON CONDA, STORYTELLING INTERN
The Words Alive community came together on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our volunteers!
The 16th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration was filled with games, interactive activities, and a very popular ice cream bar! The joyful gathering paid tribute to more than 600 volunteers who devoted 6,900+ service hours over the last 12 months, creating an impact worth over $268,000 and achieving an immeasurable effect on improving literacy in people's lives.
The success of Words Alive solely relies on the support of volunteers. This ranges from delivering programs to recruiting members, spreading social media messages, and distributing books. Throughout this year, volunteers distributed over 15,000 books to children and families from San Diego’s historically disinvested communities, while they developed Learning Kits and teaching guides.
Volunteers also supported the Words on Wheels initiative and in just the past month, delivered 2,500 books across 800 miles to Read Aloud Program participants.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to Words Alive, we proudly presented a few exceptional volunteers with awards for their service in 2024-25:
Youth Volunteer of the Year: Jessie James Olesco
Engagement Volunteers of the Year: Steve & Gabrielle Heide
Curriculum Volunteer of the Year: Nanna Steffensen
Program Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Boyd
Rookie Volunteer of the Year: Andrew Hawkins
Volunteer of the Year: Meredith Baratz
As Community Engagement Manager at Words Alive and the organizer of this year’s event, Robyn Grand discussed the impact on the volunteer community.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be supported by volunteers from around the world who help us fulfill our mission of addressing the literacy crisis in San Diego,” Robyn said. “It’s important to recognize and celebrate their dedication, and this event is our way of showing gratitude for their contributions.”
The celebration highlighted our community's true power by showing how our collective efforts create meaningful connections and shared appreciation for a common purpose.
We appreciate all volunteers who support our mission of opening opportunities for life success by inspiring a love of reading. The stories of every book read and each child motivated originate from your time, commitment, and passionate.
Want to join the Words Alive volunteer community? Learn more at wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer.
