You are reading this. Skimming it, perhaps. Easily moving from one word to another.

But what if you couldn’t read?

How much of a difference would that make in your life?

More than you can imagine, I would say.

Many people, young and old alike, cannot read.

In fact, reports Mary Marin-Lyon, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, “in eastern Maine, one in three people have low literacy and can only read at a fifth-grade reading level, or never learned to read.”

You can help decrease that one-in-three statistic for eastern Maine.

This year, you could take satisfaction from the knowledge that you made a major difference in the life of another by teaching a nonreader to read, or by offering to help someone improve his reading skills.

You can become a Literacy Volunteer Tutor.

LV-Bangor is offering a Tutor Training Series from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 31 and continuing Feb. 7, 14, 28 and March 7 at United Technology Center, 200 Hogan Road in Bangor.

Course materials are $25, but scholarships are available for those interested in volunteering but who cannot afford the fee.

To volunteer, call Marin-Lyon at 947-8451.

If you wish to improve your reading skills, or if you know of someone who could benefit from this program, call the number above for more information.

Bangor Y CEO Rob Reeves has announced that the YMCA and YWCA of Greater Bangor is, once again, working with the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Monday, Jan. 15.

A celebration of King’s life begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Bangor Y on Hammond Street, with a showing of the film “At The River I Stand.”

The focus of the production is King’s support for the 1968 strike of black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn.

After the film, at 5 p.m., professor Douglas Allen will lead a discussion of the relevance of the work of King in today’s world.

After the discussion at 6 p.m., Voices for Peace will entertain, and the event will close with a potluck supper.

The event is open to the public, and if you plan to stay for supper, you are asked to bring a dish to share.

For more information, call the Y at 941-2808 or pick up a flier at the Y on Hammond Street or Second Street in Bangor.

Featured events in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the University of Maine at Machias include activities for children and a singalong for people of all ages.

Carla Thatch, a member of UMM’s Diversity Committee, will read an African-American story at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, in the art gallery of Powers Hall on the UMM campus.

After the reading, UMM music professor Gene Nichols will lead a singalong from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center next to Powers Hall.

Schoolchildren, as well as members of the public, are invited to attend these free events, and more information can be obtained by calling the UMM president’s office at 255-1210.

For three years, the Washington County Dental Health Task Force, with the Down East Health Trust for Down East Community Hospital, has been working to expand children’s dental services in Washington County, according to information supplied by Washington County Children’s program executive director Lee McBride.

Soon, she wrote, young children and children with disabilities who need general anesthesia for dental work will no longer have to travel to Bangor or Portland for pediatric sedation dental treatment and surgery.

As part of the ongoing effort to expand children’s dental services in Washington County, she explained, “DECH has agreed to develop a pediatric sedation dentistry program.”

To assist in that effort, proceeds from the DECH Second annual International Food Festival and Auction, Saturday, Feb. 24, at Kilburn Commons at the UMaine in Machias, will benefit the purchase of equipment and supplies for that program.

And you can help by volunteering to assist with the fundraiser.

Volunteers will solicit auction items, international dishes and cash donations for the event. Advertising space in the festival program is available as well.

If you can help this program that will improve the lives of children in Washington County, call co-chairwoman Betty Palmer, 952-0413, or e-mail pastor@prexar.com.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.