Making a Difference: Colleen Reader

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - This month, NewsChannel 18 has teamed up with Frontier Communications to salute a woman who refuses to slow down in retirement.

Colleen Reader is working hard to make sure children in our area receive the proper tools they need to succeed when it comes to improving their reading skills.

We'll share her story and why she's July's Making a Difference Award winner.

Reporter: “Are you surprised?"

Reader: “I don't have my make-up on!”

Quite a shock for Colleen Reader when we surprised her with this month's Making A difference award.

Reader helps youngsters enhance their reading skills through her work with "Book Cycle", a program that serves underprivileged children across our area...

"I watched the program grow and Colleen become more and more involved and once she retired this became a full-time job for her. And she's just so passionate about children and reading,” said Jean Andres who nominated Reader.

Andres has worked with Colleen and Book Cycle for nearly 10 years and has had a front row seat to her hard work over the years.

"You couldn't ask for more enthusiasm. You couldn't ask for more commitment. You couldn't ask for anyone to do anything more about something she's passionate about,” said Andres.

"The whole premise is for young children to own books because we know how important it is for young children to have literacy opportunities early,” said Reader.

Colleen doesn't show any signs of slowing down in the years to come even in retirement.

"Colleen is pushing and pushing and pushing and doing everything that she can to make sure that children succeed,” said Andres.

Andres: "Thank you...goodness, goodness...oh my goodness...now can I go put my make-up on?"

To contribute to Book Cycle, head to the Bauer Family Resources website and click on the Early Care and Education tab. Book Cycle will be in the dropdown menu.

We've also attached bonus video of NewsChannel 18 surprising Colleen to this story.