Foster grandparents recognized Tuesday

Seated from left, Barbara Smith, Maria Crusenberry, Delbert Kirby, Betty Kirby and Sue Watson. Standing left to right, Vivian Creager, Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr., 82nd Rep. Regina Bunch, Whitley Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton and Shelby Baker.

Several Whitley County officials gathered at Williamsburg City Hall Tuesday afternoon to commemorate Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service.

Among those recognized were several Save the Children volunteers, who are part of the Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program.

So far through the 2016-2017 school year, 73 senior citizens have served as volunteer grandparent tutors at 24 schools in seven counties, including Whitley County.

Also, 83 percent of the children (562 students), who were assigned to grandparent tutors, as part of the Save the Children literacy program, significantly improved their reading skills.

Currently the proposed federal budget is slated to completely eliminate Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program and 17 other federal agencies.