International Literacy Day Partnership With The Gazette

Once again this year LPQ was very pleased to join The Gazette as a partner in their project to mark International Literacy Day.

The initiative was both a fundraiser and a means of raising awareness.

Quebecers were invited to "Sign on to Literacy" and have their names appear in a special Gazette family literacy section which was published on September 8, 2001 entitled "In Places Big and Small. News is Everywhere."

This family literacy supplement reached more than 500,000 Gazette readers, and 50,000 additional copies were distributed to local schools and literacy organizations.

Half the funds raised will be shared by LPQ and other participating literacy organizations. The other half of the funds will provide free newspapers to schools through The Gazette-in-Education program.

LPQ is proud to be part of this project, and we applaud The Gazette for so actively showing their commitment to literacy.

Another Gazette Initiative

The Gazette is planning a series of columns to be written by adults who have learned to read and write in adulthood. They are looking for stories involving the writer in some way. These could be about some funny or trying event, or about someone special in the writer's life. Poetry or opinion pieces are not being solicited at this time.

In some cases, The Gazette could work with an author to strengthen piece. Submissions should be about 400 to 600 words in length. Inquiries should be directed to Debbie Parkes, (514) 987-2597, or toll-free at 1-800-361-8478, local 2597. Or by E-mail at dparkes@thegazette.southam.ca. The mailing address is: Debbie Parkes, The Gazette, 250 St. Antoine St. W., Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 3R7. Be sure to include a phone number and return address.

ABC CANADA/Honda Family Literacy Grants

In 2000 the Honda dealers across Canada again supported family literacy by making a donation to ABC CANADA for each "Odyssey Car Play Kit" distributed to their customers. As in the past, ABC has distributed these funds to each provincial and territorial coalition.

This year, LPQ received a contribution of $9,905 which we will distribute to some of our members. In June, LPQ members who have a Family Literacy program were invited to submit an application to receive a portion of this funding to support their Family Literacy program. A number of applications have been received, and a committee of LPQ will meet in early October to make their selection.

Successful candidates will be notified by mail.

WORD-Wide Web Continues at LPQ

Once again, LPQ's partnership with the Quebec Drama Federation continues. This wonderful program allows LPQ member organizations to offer their learners the opportunity to attend local theatre productions.

We invite our members to call the LPQ office for information about productions and about how to take advantage of these tickets.