Got a few spare hours to help an underprivileged girl learn to read or do math this summer?

The PACE Center for Girls in Lee County is looking for volunteers to serve as tutors and help with serving lunch at The PACE Center on Schoolhouse Road in Fort Myers. Volunteers are needed for three to five hours per week on weekdays anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

While Lee County schools are out for the summer, PACE operates on a year-round basis.

“Our girls receive individualized instruction and counseling throughout the entire year to help them excel and advance in their school work,” said PACE Executive Director Debra Webb.

Several girls have advanced several grade levels in less than one year under the program model developed by PACE.

Volunteers are needed to help tutor in reading, English and math. In addition, help is needed during lunch to serve trays of food provided by the Lee County school system and clean up afterward.

“While PACE girls do much of this themselves, it would help to have volunteers so less time is taken away from the girls’ academic studies,” Webb said.

Webb is hopeful that local businesses will allow employees to take time during their lunch hours to volunteer at PACE.

“If they can come for just an hour once or twice a week that would be very helpful,” she said.

Residents who are interested in volunteering at PACE either as a tutor or with lunch may contact Elizabeth at 239-425-2366, ext. 24.