The Rotary Club may be a national organization, but their focus is right here at home.

Project Read was started by the Harrisonburg Club in order to support literacy in area schools. The club spends Monday through Friday mornings reading to students in local schools.

Right now, all four city elementary schools in Harrisonburg, as well as John C. Meyers in Broadway, have readers.

The Harrisonburg Club is also partnering with the Rockingham, Massanutten and Broadway Clubs to provide more readers for schools.

"It's neat to get feedback from the kids, and see how much fun they have with it, too. I probably get as much out of it as they do. I think it's important for community members to be involved with the schools and really encourage children to read and develop some lifelong habits," says Skip Weakley, a Harrisonburg Rotary Club member who is part of Project Read.

The Rotary Club needs more readers for local schools. If you think you might like to get involved, call Fred Fox at 433-2830.