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February 13, 2008
Mary Lee Kirkum receives 2007 Spirit of Christmas Award - Community Citizen Leader
Mary Lee Kirkum, radiographer/mammographer at Marquette General Hospital, was presented with the 2007 Spirit of Christmas Award - Community Citizen Leader by the Marquette Noon Rotary Club, on December 17, 2007, at the Holiday Inn of Marquette.
The award is given annually to a local citizen that the Marquette Noon Rotary Club feels has volunteered or given back to the community. Kirkum received the award for her involvement with the Peter White Library’s “Read to Me” program, a program designed for children who struggle with reading, by having them read to a therapy dog.
Mary Lee Kirkum (left) and her dog, Paige, listen as 9-year-old Robert Glover reads out loud as part of the “Read to Me” program at Peter White Public Library.
As part of the “Read to Me” program, a child chooses a book, and in a quiet area of the library the child reads aloud to the dog, which listens in a non-judgmental way. The only other person in the room is the dog’s owner/handler. Because the child is reading to a dog, there is no need for them to feel nervous, embarrassed or shy because the dog will not criticize.
As one of the starting members of “Read to Me,” Kirkham decided to have one of her own therapy dogs, Paige, be read to. Paige is a 10-year-old AKC Champion English Springer Spaniel.
Nine-year-old Robert Glover, and Paige have been meeting every Monday night for almost two years. The student’s parents said their child’s reading skills have more than doubled, and now the child really enjoys reading.
Kirkum has been employed at MGH for 27 years as a radiographer/mammographer. She has also been on the Employee Relations Committee for numerous years, serving as secretary and vice chair. She was named MGH May Employee of the Month in 2005.
Kirkum has owned three therapy dogs and has been involved with the Upper Michigan Dog Therapy Partnership for 11 years. The program allows dogs to visit patients at Upper Peninsula health care facilities. Kirkum resides in Marquette, Mich.
For more information on the “Read to Me” program, please contact Cathy Seblonka at the Peter White Public Library by calling (906) 226-4323.
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