* Literacy Fundraiser *

Illiteracy is a problem that touches every aspect of life.

The person who cannot read cannot participate fully in the life of the community.

Mark your calendar for May 8, 2008

"An Evening for Literacy,"

featuring author and forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass,

has been scheduled for New Hope Center on Scarboro Road in Oak Ridge.

Click here to read a story in The Oak Ridger about this event!

Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with h'ors doeuvers (and a special DONORS' RECEPTION with Dr. Bass for those whose extra contributions help defray the cost of the event and boost its fund-raising potential). The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by an auction of several special items and a book-signing.

For more information:

  Click here for a pdf file of the sponsor letter.

  Click here for a pdf file of the donor response form and to order additional donors' tickets. 

Contact us for information about single ticket sales, which are limited.

  CLICK TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE POSTER 

(This is a pdf file that is nearly 3 MBs; give it time!)

BACKGROUND

Lack of literacy skills continues to be a serious problem in the lives of many of our East Tennessee neighbors and for many throughout the world. Non-readers and below-grade readers cannot realize their full potential in life, which in turn adversely affects our local and national economies and society in general.

To address the needs of this almost invisible group, the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge co-sponsor an annual luncheon to raise funds to support organizations in Anderson and Roane counties that actively address illiteracy.

Thanks to the support of our sponsors and individuals in the community, we are able to make a difference in the lives of some of the 20 percent of Anderson and Roane county residents who are functionally illiterate.

Each year since the it began, under the auspices of Rotarian and author Frank Jamison, our luncheon program has featured someone who has enjoyed success as a literary figure (Roots author Alex Haley and novelist Diane Johnson), a media observer (Katy Smyser, a producer of NBC's Dateline), or other notable figure (U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Haas). Folk singer Kate Campbell spoke (and sang) several years ago; and, in what was probably our most unusual year, we heard from two slam poets from California. (See a complete list of speakers, below.)

The event is usually held in the spring, but we try to find a great speaker and then work our schedules together.

 (Back to Top)

DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS

Proceeds from the luncheon are used to award competitive grants to organizations whose programs, projects, or activities foster literacy in the area. 

From the proceeds of the 2007 luncheon, we were able to award grants totaling more than $15,000. 

While this did not come close to covering all the requests we received, it did help make a difference in many people's lives.

Grants went to family reading programs, books for pre-schoolers and elementary school children, and English-as-a-second-language support and GED exam assistance for adults.

Proceeds from the 2008 luncheon are expected to be awarded early in 2009. Those interested in receiving funds should complete and submit an application by October 15.

Successful applications will propose specific projects, programs, or activities that will foster literacy.

While successful applicants are eligible to apply for continued support, all applications will be for one year. All applications will be reviewed on their merits, and subsequent funding is not guaranteed.

Although each application will be considered on its own merits, the following types of grants will normally be precluded from the grant program:

•  General operating support   • Capital fund campaigns      • Endowments

•  Grants to individuals           • Grants to religious groups

Grants will be made to community-based groups and organizations that are:

•  Based in and/or have a local presence in a Service Area that includes Oak Ridge

   and/or Anderson and/or Roane counties.

•  Directly serve people who live and/or work in the Service Area.

•  Have volunteers, members, and/or board members who live and/or work in the

   Service Area.

Applicant organizations/groups must be operated and organized so that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disabilities when they hire staff, let bids, or provide services.

For a list of previous grant recipients, see the link at the bottom of the box that lists this year's awards. For more information about applying for funds, click here. Club members can view the chartering document that establishes the process for distributing funds in the password-protected members-only side of the website (look for the Club Documents page).

 (Back to Top)

Mim Eichler Rivas spoke at the 2007 Literacy Luncheon.

RECENT SPEAKERS

Recently, we have had the pleasure of hearing from two writers, each quite different, but each very well received. In 2006, Appalachian novelist Sharyn McCrumb told a packed house about the writing of St. Dale, her best-selling NASCAR take on The Canterbury Tales.

The 2007 luncheon featured Oak Ridge native Mim Eichler Rivas, co-author of the memoir, The Pursuit of Happyness, which was the basis for a movie starring Will Smith, and Finding Fish, the book on which the Denzel Washington movie, Antoine Fisher, was based.

Mim's book Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of the World's Smartest Horse and a Man who Changed the World, is the subject of a documentary film.

We hope a wide variety of speakers will help us appeal to a wide array of people since we have two goals – to raise money for community efforts and to raise awareness of local literacy problems. The last several years have brought standing-room-only crowds and excellent media coverage.

 (Back to Top)

COMPLETE LIST OF SPEAKERS

1993  Alex Haley, author of Roots

1994  Wilma Dykeman, Knoxville area author and journalist

1996  Linda W. Billica, NASA astronaut trainer and advisor on Apollo 13

1997  Robert Hass, Poet Laureate of the United States

1998  Jerry Quickley and Robert Carroll, award winning slam poets

1999  Katy Smyser, producer for NBC Dateline

2000  Carolyn Jourdan, award winning documentary film maker

2001  Hon. Paul Simon, retired U.S. Senator, author and professor

2002  Kate Campbell, singer, songwriter, recording artist

2003  Sena Jeter Naslund, award winning author of Ahab’s Wife

2004  Diane Johnson, author and National Book Award finalist of Le Divorce

2005  Shelia Kay Adams, traditional storyteller and author of My Old True Love

2006  Sharyn McCrumb, author of St. Dale and Appalachian ballad novels

2007  Mim Eichler Rivas, author of Beautiful Jim Key : The Lost History of the World's Smartest

           Horse and a Man who Changed the World

 (Back to Top)

INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Because our entire effort is centered around providing support to local literacy organizations, we have very limited means to provide travel expenses and room accommodations for our speakers. Hobson/Yoder Financial Services graciously underwrites basic expenses each year. In return, they normally sponsor a second event for their clients that is held in conjunction with the luncheon.

Several of our speakers have been willing to make other appearances during their visits – at local schools, for example. This is all coordinated based on the schedule and willingness of the speaker to address more than one organization.

If you are interested in speaking or have a speaker to suggest, please Contact Us with details.

 (Back to Top)