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Pat Dee is the chief operating officer of First Community Bank, but he doesn't fit the stereotype of cold-hearted executive.

For the past four years, Dee has volunteered to teach kindergarteners to read through the Albuquerque Reads program — and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

During his visit to Albuquerque on Aug. 27, President Bush was to present Dee with a President's Volunteer Service Award.

"I've always been interested in reading and literacy issues, because I loved to read as a child," said Dee, 52. "Literacy is a huge problem in New Mexico, and the Albuquerque Reads program is by far the best in terms of making a dramatic impact."

An Albuquerque resident since 1986, Dee became involved with the program through his bank's longtime cooperation with the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, which helps promote it.

Dee's boss encouraged him to help get the program on its feet in 2003.

"The folks at Bel-Air Elementary are the ones who really established the curriculum," Dee said. "They had the concept but need a group of people in the community to help make it happen."

Dee and others spread the word about Albuquerque Reads and recruited volunteers and persuaded businesses to offer their employees paid time off for volunteer service. Dee said they still need 200 volunteers to get the program going for the 2007-08 school year.

Albuquerque Reads needs a minimum of 600 volunteers to serve the three schools already established with the program in the Albuquerque area - Bel-Air, Atrisco and Wherry elementary schools. Dee said he would like to see the program expand, but it is difficult to find volunteers.

Dee, a Republican, said he isn't active in politics in a visible sense, but he has done various things to support candidates he feels strongly about and is excited to be meeting President Bush.

He said he hopes the award will create more awareness about Albuquerque Reads and convince more people to find the time to volunteer.

"Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children when they learn to read is the best paycheck I've ever gotten," Dee said.