Our Volunteers Make an Impact

Your generosity has a profound and lasting impact on the students, parents, and educators using Learning Ally’s solutions. When you volunteer, you are committing to share the most precious resource – your time – to make life better for those in need. 

While we know that you choose to volunteer selflessly and without the expectation of recognition or reward, we want you to know how much your dedication is appreciated. On behalf of Learning Ally staff members, students, educators, and parents, we are forever grateful to each of you. Whether you are a long-time volunteer or started serving recently, regardless of how many hours you choose to give, it’s important for you to know that what you do makes a difference.

The Mary Alyce and John Merow Distinguished Volunteer Service Awards

Generous philanthropic gifts donated by Mary Alyce and John Merow’s estate and foundation provide Learning Ally with an incredible opportunity to invest and enhance our solutions for students, educators, and families. We honor and celebrate the Merows and their generosity with solutions designed to address the specific needs of students and educators in an ever-changing learning environment.

In our work with over 450,000 educators in more than 21,000 schools nationwide, Learning Ally is providing effective, proven solutions to close opportunity gaps so all students can learn and succeed. Our solutions are informed by our Whole Child Literacy™ approach, weaving together the entire learning ecosystem. We’re turning research on brain science and the sciences of reading into actionable practices, preparing educators and administrators to be literacy leaders, putting kids in the driver’s seat to direct their own learning, and empowering families and communities to actively support kids’ reading development.

The generosity of the Merows allows Learning Ally to do this meaningful work alongside our volunteers. Mary Alyce Merow was a longtime volunteer who accumulated over 4,000 service hours recording audiobooks in the New York studio over several decades. She was part of the Wednesday morning "Breakfast Clubbers" group of volunteers, and we dedicated booth Number 7 in honor of the Merows. She also served as Secretary and member of our National Board of Directors.