Literacy Coalition Launches Read Together Palm Beach County Initiative

Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig with Tom Streit and Kristin Calder of the Literacy Coalition, Carla Roderick of Comcast and Richard Radcliffe of the League of Cities at the Literacy Coalition’s annual Mayor’s Literacy Initiative Luncheon.

Whatever else you might think about Florida, after reading this year’s “Read Together Palm Beach County” book, you’ll never be able to say it’s boring! In classic Dave Barry style, the New York Times bestselling author and popular humorist takes on all the people who think of the Sunshine State as “Flori-DUH” in his hilarious hit book Best. State. Ever. A Florida Man Defends His Homeland.

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County kicked off the “Read Together Palm Beach County” campaign at its annual Mayors’ Literacy Initiative Luncheon, where the book was announced. The campaign, aimed at getting adults throughout the county to read the same book at the same time, will celebrate all things Florida, including other Florida-themed books and authors. The goal is to get people engaged in discussing the themes of the book and to help entice those who can read, but seldom do, to get in the habit of reading again.

Copies of the book are available through the Literacy Coalition for a $10 donation. Many of the county and municipal libraries also have ordered additional copies.

Events and book discussions are planned throughout the campaign, which ends in late November. A finale event with Dave Barry will be held at the Harriet Himmel Theatre in West Palm Beach on Nov. 28. The finale event requires an RSVP. The event is free, but a suggested donation is welcome.

Sponsorships for the campaign, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, are available. This community reading initiative is not a fundraiser, but helps support the Literacy Coalition’s mission to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy.

Learn more at www.literacypbc.org or call (561) 279-9103.

A recipient of the coveted 4-star Charity Navigator rating for 10 consecutive years, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County works to improve the quality of life in the community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in seven adults in the county is unable to read and understand information found in books, newspapers and manuals, and nearly half of all third graders are not reading on grade level. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, the Literacy Coalition strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. By providing services to more than 27,000 adults, children and families each year, the Literacy Coalition’s goal is for every child and every adult in Palm Beach County to be able to read.