December 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Monica Ortiz
by Allison Yates
Each month, Read & Run Chicago highlights a different volunteer or reader & runner! This month, we’re celebrating volunteer Monica Ortiz. After nearly 35 years as a Chicago Public Schools teacher, Monica has recently retired and is now “embracing the next chapter.” What does that look like? For her, it’s a lot of running, walking, and reading daily. We’re so happy that Monica now has the chance to pursue her passions and interests fully, and we’re so grateful she brings her joy, humor, and enthusiasm for learning to all of our events and meetups.
Read the interview to learn more about her!
What type of volunteer work have you done for Read & Run Chicago?
I’ve volunteered as a pacer at events like the Chicago 26.2 Shakeout with Meb Keflezighi.
What has been the best event you've attended?
That’s a tough decision to make, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Chicago 26.2 Shakeout with Meb Keflezighi. He autographed my book!
What's one thing you've learned at a Read & Run Chicago event?
I've learned many things at the events that I've attended with Read & Run Chicago. I truly love the ones where we meet the authors and get to know each one of them. Asking the "why" is inspiring for me.
Why should people volunteer for Read & Run Chicago?
People should volunteer at an event so they get to run and at the end meet an author and ask the questions they had as they were reading that particular book.
Monica with other volunteers at Volunteer Appreciation Night at Open Books Pilsen.