Learning Ally Volunteer Voice: A time to give thanks

Learning Ally - Making reading accessible for all | Volunteer Voice

Please check with your local studio staff for a schedule of holiday hours.

The personal tragedies and triumphs facing families at this time of Thanksgiving remind us to reflect on all that we do have. From the selfless acts of our veterans, to our dedicated volunteers whose work impacts lives every day, we take a moment to stop and say, 'thank you.'

- Leontyne Anglin, Director, Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

A gracious gift of life ...

Elvis It's been a holiday tradition. Each year at Christmas time, Barbara's family selects a charity they want to support. This year, they decided to pick a puppy they would give a special name, and offer as a gift to someone in need. Elvis is an 8-week old yellow lab named after the dog her son SGT Chris DeRemer loved so dearly. Chris was a 9/11 first responder and an Army Combat Medic. His job was to save lives and bring servicemen and women home to their families. Friends called him "Doc".

Elvis will be much more than just a pet. He will be raised as a highly trained guide dog to help restore dignity and independence to wounded visually impaired veterans through the Paws for Patriots program at Southeastern Guide Dogs. Barbara heard about it through her friend Mike who received his own dog after being severely wounded in Iraq. "With Brittani, I am never alone," Mike says. "When I get stressed out or anxiety takes over, I can just reach over and she calms me down, grounds me until I can refocus." A companion and working dog, Brittani has been on 47 round trip flights and was there with Mike each step of the way through college. When he graduated, Brittani even wore a gown and walked with him across the stage.

Barbara Zustovich and Mike Jernigan Barbara's son Chris dedicated himself to saving lives. Through her gracious gift of life, his selfless work continues. "I am grateful for all that the men and women in our military give to our country every single day. It's the least I can do."

Barbara Zustovich is a Gold Star Mom. She is a registrar in the Princeton office and has been with Learning Ally for 18 years. Mike Jernigan is a longtime Learning Ally member and helped to found the Paws for Patriots program.

Retired JAG Corps Officer finds solace in a Learning Ally recording studio

"The job of a prosecutor often keeps you in the midst of very negative situations. At Learning Ally I'm surrounded by so many positive people." Heading to the Princeton studio gave Bruce Kmosko something to look forward after leaving his life as a US Navy Commander, former federal agent, and prosecutor with the New Jersey Attorney General's office.

An avid reader, he could continue to use his knowledge, particularly of law and history, to help others. "I guess I had become somewhat of a loner," Bruce says. "Often the first person that I would see was Kate Benincasa (former Production Director, Princeton Recording Studio). She was always so cheerful and actually encouraged me to move beyond reading into directing and training others." Bruce is thankful for the new friendships. "I didn't realize it at first, but volunteering has probably helped me just as much as it has helped others."

Bruce Kmosko

Through sharing his joy of reading, it seems he's been following in his mother's footsteps. He recalls how she would make tape recordings of her voice, recounting each detail of their family vacations, and ship them to her husband, a Korean War veteran, who was legally blind. "Volunteering brings meaning to my life." In addition to Learning Ally, Bruce brings books to the homebound, delivers meals on wheels, and spends lots of time in the animal shelter where he enjoys helping with adoption day events. "I just try to do something meaningful every single day."

Outstanding Audiobooks

"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien celebrates the service of our armed forces. While technically fiction, much of the book is semi-autobiographical as O'Brien draws heavily on his own experience in Vietnam for inspiration.

Composed as a series of short stories, O'Brien's narration is rich with detail, unfiltered, and heartfelt. This book gives an inside look at the horrors of combat our brave servicemen and women face, but also the camaraderie and lifelong bonds that form on the battlefield.

- Lauren Holstein, Community Engagement & Public Relations Specialist

Reader's Tip

Please be aware of background noises in your recordings. Try to turn the pages as quietly as possible. Be sure to turn off your cell phone before starting to record. If you can hear talking or other noises outside your booth, the noises are probably coming through onto the recording. Stop recording until the noise stops. Then you will need to back up and re-record the part contaminated by the noise once it's quiet again. If you cough or clear your throat while recording, definitely back up and remove the noise.

Mark Your Calendar

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, December 10 from 7- 9 pm.

In collaboration with the the New Jersey Chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Learning Ally will host the final evening session of the NJLDA's Mostly Monday Learning Series. Professionals, parents, and interested parties are invited to join us for this FREE event.

Learning Disabilities Association of America "IEPs and 504 Plans: Understanding the Laws on Special Education"

Presenter: Hillary Freeman, Esq., Special Needs Lawyer, Freeman Law Offices

Location: Learning Ally, 20 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540

Certificates for 2 Professional Development Credits are available.

For more information, please call 732-645-2738.