"I'm 75, and here's a kid who is 9 years old," Bunyard said. "I was rejuvenated."

Bunyard described spending time with Patrick as making him feel young again. Bunyard and his wife, Marjory, have lived in Saratoga for 32 years. They have five grandchildren, including one just a little older than Patrick, so socializing and teaching children comes naturally to them. The couple spent the school year volunteering in the Oak Street Buddies program at Saratoga Elementary School.

Through this K­5 program, talented community volunteers like the Bunyards are provided with the opportunity to be more involved with the school. Volunteers range from high school and college students to parents, grandparents, Realtors, high-tech employees, working professionals and retired teachers.

The volunteers are committed to tutoring a student at the school two times a week for 15 weeks—at their convenience during the day or after school. They were matched with a child who needed help in their area of interest, such as math, science or reading.

Tara Mattson, who coordinates the program, said this year there were more than 30 tutors in the program, 11 of them Saratoga High School students who helped a group of fourth- and fifth-graders. Mattson said they are currently looking to expand the program, since it has proven to be such a valuable resource for the students and teachers as well as a rewarding experience for the volunteers.

"It's a wonderful program that provides extra instruction to students who need extra help," Mattson said. "Sometimes a child needs a little more one-on-one instruction to get past a difficult concept or to become a better reader."

Working with a tutor allows students to overcome obstacles, gain self-assurance and develop a renewed determination to learn. Students have tutoring programs, designed by Mattson, to meet their needs and strengthen their classroom learning skills. The program concluded on June 9, during the last week of school, with an awards ceremony and brunch to honor the volunteers.

This year's volunteers were: the Bunyards, Mary Cobb, Susan Cullinane, Nancy Durham, Steve Fox, Julie Galvin, Teresa Hata, LeaAnn Hernandez, Anne-Laure Kohler, Sharmila Kumar, Kathleen Mulligan, Loretta Nussbacher, Esther Park, Margaret Passatino, Julie Peck, Shawn Reader, Ranjana Sivaram, Carmel Thorn, Anne Walsh, Lynn Welge, Sholeh Zarrinkhameh, Bruce Zorio, Marla Hendrickson, Mary Lynne McLaughlin and JoAnne Fitzsimmons.

Saratoga High School volunteers were: Chanel Aveni, Carrie Bianchini-Thayer, Susannah Bonn, Katrina Capello, Deana Durn, Carolyn Heerwagen, Heather McFarland, Megan McKenzie, Maria Rhodes, Brandon Rodini and Reika Takagi.

The program was started by Saratoga substitute teacher Julie Kelsey three years ago to help students with the potential of "falling through the cracks" learn to succeed in more ways than those offered in the classroom. Oak Street Buddies is based on curriculum from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. Students not only excel academically and sometimes earn better grades, Kelsey said, but they form a friendship with someone they wouldn't normally meet.

"Oak Street Buddies has improved my reading a lot," Patrick said. "Now I can stop where I'm supposed to stop [while reading]. It helped me also on my handwriting and helped me understand reading is interesting and fun."

Patrick's mom, Stephanie, said her son would read, but wouldn't always pause or stop reading in appropriate places such as at commas and periods.

"Patrick just needed someone to build his confidence," she said. "It was exactly what I was hoping for."

Over the relaxing and school-free summer, Patrick said sometimes his reading skills decline, so he's going to have to practice what he's learned from his "buddy."

Volunteer Steve Fox, a retired dentist, said he and his third-grade buddy, Jake Freudenblum, attacked learning areas such as reading and math, reviewing and correcting tests, improving vocabulary and playing computer games.

"My task evolved to the point of making Jake feel good about his school experience and feel good about himself," said Fox, a 33-year resident of Saratoga. "I really learned how difficult it is to be a good teacher."

For more information about the program or to become a volunteer, call Mattson at 408.867.3476, ext. 248.