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Taped books for the blind seeks volunteers for national ministry
By Penny Lent
Christian Examiner, January 2005
Susan Scholtes takes a break in the soundproof reading room. |
SEATAC - On different days and times each week, a core group of about 45 people travel from across Puget Sound to volunteer at Tape Ministries Northwest in SeaTac, Washington. They merge from Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, as far north as Mercer Island and south from Federal Way and Puyallup. Their mission is to share the pure joy of reading through books that inspire, entertain, provide encouragement, comfort and give hope to people who cannot read due to blindness or other disabilities.
"It's such a joy to serve with this organization," said volunteer Carol Williams. "We feel we receive as much as we give."
Some volunteers have wonderfully expressive voices with which to record books. Through these efforts thousands hear what they cannot read. Other helpers mow the facility's grass or maintain the building. Even more people with computer skills are needed to compile and send application packets to new patrons.
"We now offer more than 1,000 faith-based books," Executive Director Barbara Parsloe explains of Tape Ministries, which provides its services for free. "These include books on Christian living, devotionals, Christian theology and Christian fiction. Many of our most popular books are missionary biographies."
Tape Ministries NW began 25 years ago at a ladies' Bible study at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Normandy Park. The women offered to record their favorite books on tape for a blind friend, who had mentioned she could not find many Christian books on tape at the public library. The woman said she wished she could hear the books the women were discussing.
So Crystal Bullis, along with her husband, Sid, and a group of volunteers, started a library in the basement of her home. They expanded quickly by sending books on tape to not only her friend, but also blind and visually impaired people throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The ministry now serves patrons in 47 states and Canada from its 2,000-square-foot office, which was donated by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in SeaTac. According to ministry officials, it is the second largest nondenominational Christian lending library for the blind in the nation and, during the past year, sent more than 11,000 tapes.
Demand increases need for volunteers
In 1994, after Guideposts magazine printed a feature on the ministry, requests poured in from across America.
"We always need volunteers," Parsloe said. "Most give a minimum of two hours per week, or more, if they like. We need office help and clear reading voices to record."
Volunteers have flexible weekday hours, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The ministry provides all the training.
Sight-impaired people find the Tape Ministries' services mostly through word of mouth. People mention it to their pastors and ministry leaders who work with seniors. Many parish nurses recommend the project tot heir clients. Recently, a Christian printer in Tukwila donated 10,000 color posters to give to churches and senior centers.
"We rely on gifts from local churches and people who care about seniors and the disabled," Parsloe said. "Many of our patrons give what they can to the ministry, even though our services are free. And the federal government has a program that provides postage for books on tape for the blind."
Limited staff
Tape Ministries NW has just three part-time paid staff. As executive director Parsloe is responsible for overseeing library operations, administration and finances. Book Production Manager Bonnie Heutink trains volunteer narrators and oversees the reading, proof-listening and duplication of new books. Shirley Farris is the librarian, who works closely with patrons to help them find books they will enjoy, and often receives notes in return:
"Listening to these tapes brings so much joy and blessings to my heart and mind," wrote a Soap Lake resident. "Life without good sight would be so much more difficult without your ministry to us. (You) are a lifeline. Your new catalog has so many tape tittles, enough for years, I think. There are many titles I've not seen before and I'm very excited about the coming blessings. Thank you again, dear ones, for your loving services to all of us."
Volunteer honored
Among its volunteer corps is retired engineer Paul Williams, who was recently named Community Volunteer of the Year for 2004 by BECU, Washington's largest credit union, for his 652 hours of service during the past year. Along with the honor, BECU President and Chief Executive Gary Oakland awarded Williams a check for $2,500 to update the ministries' technology.
"Paul manages our technology systems and helped replace outdated manual systems to ones which save resources with better results," Parsloe said. "Bar-coding the library was a powerful use of technology. We can check out books with a single swipe, just like cashiers check out groceries at the store."
In addition, Paul taught himself Braille and installed software to automatically create Braille labels for the books. His wife, Carol, supervised a Christmas mailing involving 1,200 book requests.
"They each embody the spirit of service," Parsloe said. "It is a joy to work alongside them to share the joy of reading with folks who are blind. Even in an organization dependent on volunteers, Paul and Carol's dedication and contributions stand out." Another volunteer, Keith Lash, has developed a custom database for the library that tracks the ministries' services.
Ongoing needs
Volunteers are needed to duplicate tapes, check books in/out, review new books, help organize an August 2005 golf tournament, record Our Daily Bread in Spanish every month and translate Spanish to help outreach to Latino churches.
Immediate equipment needs include three newer computers to run Windows WP, two soundproof doors and acoustical foam for the recording room.
Tape Ministries NW is a mail-order library, offering services nationwide. For more information, call (206) 243-7377, email info@tapeministries.org or log onto their web site at tapeministries.org.
Copyright © 2005 Keener Communications Group. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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