Saying Thanks

graphic: open book"To read is to empower
To empower is to write
To write is to influence
To influence is to change
To change is to live."

~ Jane Evershed ~
More than a Tea Party

T.L.C. Fund for Kids

An initiative of the OK Radio Group (100.3 The Q!), the T.L.C. Fund for Kids has raised and donated funds to improve the quality of life for young people in the Capital District since 1998.

READ is the proud and grateful recipient of a recent grant of $3,505 to fund one session of our Back to Basics: Bridging Barriers to Learning program for six children who are on the lengthy waitlist for a READ bursary.

“ The T.L.C. Fund for Kids!
...because every child needs a little T.L.C.”

graphic: Raise-A-ReaderTimes Colonist Book Drive Bursary Fund

READ students are the beneficiaries of a generous grant of $10,000 from the Times Colonist. In recognition of their commitment to literacy, we have named this grant the Times Colonist Book Drive Bursary Fund for 2004-2005.

In March the Times Colonist Book Drive raised $151,000 for literacy programs on the Island. In September, the second annual TC Raise a Reader Day raised an additional $56,000. The Raise a Reader fund helps organizations like the Victoria READ Society, Project Literacy Victoria, and the Greater Victoria Public Library.

Hats off to all the local celebrities and volunteers who sold newspapers downtown on Raise a Reader Day. Thanks to READ volunteers: Yvonne Blair, Tracey Burnett, Janie Harrison, Julie Holder, Helen Thomas, and board members Myrna Hall, Susan Link, Patti Stockton, and JoAnn Zelen. They donated their time and loads of enthusiasm. READ’s Executive Director, Julie Holder, captained the team that raised the second highest amount of money out of 16 teams!

graphic: Random Acts of PoetryPromoting Poets, Poetry and Literacy

During the week of October 25th to 31st, almost 1500 Random Acts of Poetry were “committed” on people from all walks of life in cities all across Canada from Victoria to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Inspired by local poet and enthusiastic READ supporter, Wendy Morton, 27 poets raised awareness of literacy and poetry by reading their poems in everyday places ~ hair salons, fire halls, construction sites, banks and bus stops. In addition, each poet gave away a free copy of their published poems to each recipient of a random reading.

The publicity for this event was remarkable, with coverage in print, radio and television in each community. Internet searches revealed that this news item was picked up by the BBC in Britain as well as a news magazine in Poland!

Random Acts of Poetry was sponsored by abebooks.com and an anonymous donor in association with the Victoria READ Society. We are grateful to abebooks.com for their support and expertise in launching this inaugural event. Our kudos to the poets who participated so enthusiastically and creatively across Canada ~

Victoria: Wendy Morton, Susan Stenson, Isa Milman
Vancouver: Billeh Nickerson, Fiona Lam
Kelowna: Nancy Holmes
Edmonton: Wendy McGrath, Janine Edwards
Calgary: Ian Samuel, Sheri D Wilson
Saskatoon: Glen Sorestad
Moose Jaw: Gary Hyland
Winnipeg: Chandra Mayor
Toronto: Andrea Thompson, Sheila Stewart
Hamilton: Marilyn Gear Pilling
Ottawa: Ronnie Brown, Sue McMaster
Owen Sound: Liz Zetlin
Montreal: Fernand Durepros, Jose Acquelin, Carolyn Souaid
Charlottetown: Hugh MacDonald
Fredericton: Kathy Mac
Halifax: Lorri Neilson Glenn
St. John’s, Nfld: Marian Frances White, Mary Dalton

Thanks also to the independent publishers who provided the poets’ books at cost. WestJet, Prairie Naturals and Abebooks donated prizes for the Random Acts of Poetry on-line contest.

You can read more about Random Acts of Poetry at abebooks.com or www.randomactsofpoetry.com.