AmeriCorps Energy Express reading program kicked off Tuesday, June 21, at Marlinton Elementary School. The program serves 32 children in Pocahontas County by providing two nutritious meals along with reading based activities.

Our team is expected to complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service by the end of July. The hours will be gained through our time with the children and various community service projects that will be completed on and off-site. The team is partnering with Greenbrier County Energy Express sites to offer "Snack Packs" for the children to take home every Friday. The team will also be working hard through the month of July to create "Take Home Backpacks" for every child involved in the Energy Express program. School supply drives will be set up in various locations in Marlinton and will be announced at a later date through media releases and posted flyers.

In 2010, Energy Express had a grand total of 3,385 volunteers who completed 58,821 hours of service statewide. Fifty-seven percent of the volunteers were adults and 43 percent were youth.

There are various ways to get involved with our local Energy Express site to make this year successful. You may choose to volunteer in the morning hours, 8 - 11:30 a.m., to assist the children with reading, writing or art activities. Energy Express is also accepting donations of "found objects" that will be used for projects within the classrooms. Any of the following items would be greatly appreciated: foam egg cartons, paper bags (all sizes), paper towel and toilet paper tubes, boxes, magazines, cardboard, newspapers, and plastic containers with lids, cotton balls, feathers, string, yarn, fabric, socks and pantyhose, flour, trash bags, grocery bags, coffee filters, paper plates and any other material or items that could be used for writing, art, and/or drama activities.

For more information on volunteering or to make a donation to the program, contact Nebraska Beverage, Site Supervisor, or Miranda Wilfong, Community Coordinator, at 304- 799-6551 ext. 2369. For additional inquiries concerning the program, contact Shirley Wilkins, Pocahontas County WVU Extension Service at 304-799-4852.

Energy Express is sponsored by WVU Extension Office, Volunteer West Virginia and the Summer Food Service Program through the West Virginia Department of Education.

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