A group of employee and family volunteers visited Edison Elementary School to read to first grade students and distribute backpacks as part of the Volunteer Center’s Operation Teddy Bear (OTB) program.
OTB is The Volunteer Center’s signature early literacy and school readiness program serving first-grade students across the Long Beach, Harbor, and South Bay communities, and this year marks its 31st year of impact. The program has equipped approximately 5,000 students annually with backpacks filled with age-appropriate books, school supplies, and a plush teddy bear to create a positive and engaging introduction to reading and learning. “I had a great time reading to the kids. The book highlights various ways anyone can volunteer, which is important for a healthy community,” said Jasmine DeLynch, analyst at Torrance Refinery.