Events
Special events give The Literacy Council opportunities to share
our services with the community, inform the public about the issue
of literacy and how they can help, recognize our volunteers and clients
for their accomplishments, and raise funds to support our programs.
There are five main events throughout the year:
2009 Signature Series
The Signature Series, sponsored by Alabama Power Company, brings three prominent authors to Birmingham for private cocktail receptions within a year. Patrons spend the evening with one of America’s most fascinating authors and receive a signed first edition of the author’s latest work in Birmingham’s most beautiful homes. The name of the featured author and the date of the event are confirmed approximately two months before each party.
Our first event for 2009 was held on May 6 featuring world-renowned chef Frank Stittand his new book, Frank Stitt's Bottega Favorita.
Past authors include: Richard North Patterson, Rick Bragg, Delta Burke, Shelley Stewart, Dixie Carter, Mark Childress, Charlton Heston, Howell Raines, and Tracy Chevalier.
Announcing our
Second Author for the Signature Series
Tuesday, July 28th
Warren St. John, reporter for the New York Times.
a powerful and inspiring tale of a refugee youth soccer team
and the transformation of a small American town.
“A brilliant and empathetic depiction of our common quest for meaning and happiness. Warren St. John invites us into the lives of a community of refugees, their bewildered neighbors in a small town, and a Jordanian woman who not only coaches, but mentors, mothers, and inspires some remarkable boys..." Read more...
PURCHASE SERIES TICKETS:
$ 450 per couple for the two remaining Signature Series events.
$ 225 per individual the two remaining Signature Series events
$100 per individual for Warren St. John event
To subscribe to the Signature Series you may :
- Call (205) 326-1925 or 1-888-448-7323.
- Purchase tickets online HERE
-
Mail a check to:
The Literacy Council
2301 First Avenue North, Suite 102
Birmingham, AL 35203
Downtown Historic Loft Tour
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The 10th annual Literacy Council Loft Tour on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 featured numerous residential and commercial lofts in Downtown's Loft District. Visitors had the chance to take a walking tour of spaces from the elegant to the eclectic. It was a self-guided walking tour that included lofts with various amenities and décor.
More than 400 people attended. The Loft Tour was a successful event in that we raised record funds. This unique fundraiser benefited The Literacy Council’s efforts in reducing illiteracy.
View a sampling of loft photos here.
The Literacy Summit
The Literacy Council’s 2008 Literacy Summit was held at the Harbert Center in Birmingham on Friday, October 17th. Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper, Jr, was the keynote speaker. The Summit, which drew 325 attendees accomplished several goals:
- Literacy providers, volunteers and tutors were honored as Distinguished Partners – people who have made significant contributions to improving literacy.
- Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper, Jr. expertly exhibited how illiteracy affects crime. “In order to break the cycle of crime, we must improve the literacy rate in the City of Birmingham and surrounding areas. I believe this is one of the most cost-effective forms of crime prevention,” he said.
- Steve Hannum, Interim Executive Director of The Literacy Council and Provider Services Manager honored Bobbie Wilson of St. Clair County with the Doug Dutton Tutor of the Year Award.
- Rhonda Davis, a learner who was tutored at M-Power Ministries, told her moving success story of overcoming obstacles of illiteracy.
- Dr. Ethel Hall, co-chair of The Literacy Initiative Leadership Committee, reviewed the progress made so far on The Literacy Initiative – A Regional Plan for Regional Action, which evaluates the needs and gaps in current literacy services. Many partnerships have been established as a result of The Literacy Initiative – A Regional Plan for Regional Action.
The Friends of Literacy
Friends of Literacy is a young patrons group of The Literacy Council. The group works to recruit volunteers and build the next generation of leaders for our organization. For more information on Friends of Literacy events contact The Literacy Council at 205-326-1925.
AdventuREAD
This day is annually hosted in the fall by The Literacy Council and The Literacy Providers Network. The goal is to encourage parents/caregivers and children to spend a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes each day reading together, bring awareness that reading is fun and to be loved – not feared, and to offer families who need help with literacy an immediate opportunity to enroll in a local family literacy program.
Adventuread was held at Wenonah Elementary School during the month of December. Students were challenged to read one book with their parent and then discuss questions given.
United We Read
United We Read is a reading awareness project sponsored by The Literacy Council. The project places adult volunteers in elementary schools to promote literacy and the joy of reading. Volunteers read from a pre-selected book to second and third grade students for approximately thirty minutes. United We Read is held during Black History Month and encourages an appreciation of African-American culture. Each child who participates in United We Read will receive a free copy of the book that is featured in the program. Each school will also receive a copy of the book for their library. Last year we had over 200 volunteers who read to over 3,000 children in Central Alabama. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Debra Des Vignes at (205) 326-1925 or ddesvignes@literacy-council.org
*For additional information about any of these events please contact The Literacy Council at (205) 326-1925, info@literacy-council.org or continue to check our website for more details.
