Tuesday night, four Chi Omega sorority members huddled around a pile of books -- but they weren't the usual highbrow psychology and biology textbooks.

Their choices this time were Johnny Toothbrush, Rapunzel or Little Red Riding Hood. The sorority members and eight children stretched out on a large orange carpet in the corner of a brightly lit room and began to read.

As the sorority members took turns reading, using different voices and expressions, the children became quiet and settled in. Their attention was carefully focused on the story and the readers. Ignoring the toys and other distractions around them, the children leaned in to examine the pictures or read along.

In celebration of Chi Omega's 100th birthday, a national program called "Chi Omega Reads Aloud," has been established, where sorority members read with children between two and 11 years old.

"Our sorority turns 100 years old in 1995. This is a special philanthropy event to celebrate our centennial," said Shannon Getz (junior-psychology), Chi Omega's centennial chairwoman.

The University's chapter of Chi Omega, 101 Haller, has decided to run this philanthropy with the children of "Fun on the Run," an evening-care program run by Child Development and Family Council of Centre County Inc. with the University's Child Care Program Services, Office of Human Resources.

From 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday night, Chi Omega sisters will visit the Sun Room in Cedar Building to read to the children involved in the "Fun on the Run" program.

The children truly enjoy the program, and Tuesday night was no exception.

"I think they're really good at reading," said Nicole Schmidt, a 10-year-old involved with the program. "They're really funny sometimes."

Eventually, the children broke into groups. In one group, Chi Omega's Lauren Lenkaitis (sophomore-communications) helped a young boy with his reading skills as he read a story to her.

Sometimes pronunciation was difficult. Carrie Scherer (senior-Spanish) helped 7-year-old Jonathan Scalsky with the word "mother" as he read aloud.

In another group, two girls read aloud to another member of Chi Omega, Merle Saldivar (junior-biology).

Some of the children were skeptical when the program started, Saldivar said. "At first it was kind of hard, but I think they have really opened up to us. They are so self-conscious when they are first learning," she said.

Abby Dentith, 10, enjoys the time the sorority members spend with her and said she feels comfortable with the program.

"It's fun," she said when the hour was over."They're kind of dramatic in the stories. They're good storytellers. They're good with kids. I like when they let us read."

At 8 p.m., everyone finished the books they were reading and moved on to other activities or prepared to go home. But everyone mentioned that they would see each other next week.

Getz said the program is successful so far, and the sorority members are eager to be involved.

"I think it went pretty well. They enjoy being read to and we enjoy coming. There has been an overwhelming volunteer response. Everybody has shown a lot of enthusiasm about it," Getz said.