It's the RIF Man!
By Chris Vollmer
“Hey, aren’t you the RIF man?” That is the typical shout out when Dick Tillmar walks across the playground of Browning School, in the heart of the Westlawn neighborhood on Milwaukee’s north side. Dick has been a “RIF” man at Browning since 1998.
Just exactly what is a “RIF” man? R.I.F. is the acronym for the Reading is Fundamental book distribution program. This program, which is 44 years old this year, is a collaborative project of the federal government and any number of businesses and community organizations that donate funds for purchasing books. The majority of those book donations are to children from low to poverty level income homes.
As a member of Milwaukee Rotary, Dick is a participant in its RIF committee. Through this committee, he and other members are matched with a school in the Milwaukee area. Their duties or responsibilities are to visit their assigned school three times a year and assist with the distribution of the books to the students.
Sounds simple, efficient and maybe even a little dull. This is Dick Tillmar however, with kids ages 3 – 12 getting new, free books! For the 13 years he as been “helping” with the distribution, there is never a dull moment. Over the years he has demonstrated magic tricks, read with enthusiasm, played games, confused kids and teachers alike, listened to proud readers, given hugs, smiles and laughs. He has become a recognizable person throughout the building. On the day, or sometimes, days that Dick volunteers his time, the library is an even more joyful place. At the end of these days it is difficult to tell who had more fun, Dick or the students.
For more information on the R.I.F. organization and programs, please check out the RIF website.
Chris Vollmer is the librarian/technology leader/parent involvement and literacy first coordinator/R.I.F. coordinator at Browning School and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. She has been employed by Milwaukee Public Schools for 25 years and as the librarian at Browning School for 15. She and her school have been very fortunate to have the benefit of many Rotarians’ time, in spreading the joy of reading through the gifts of books.
Before you leave TillmarConnect.com:
- Please send a link to www.tillmarconnect.com to three of your peers.
- Call Dick Tillmar to discuss an opportunity, 414-690-2232.
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