International Literacy Organization Receives $47,000 from Romance Writers of America

ProLiteracy Worldwide
Wednesday, 9 August 2000

SYRACUSE, NY, AUGUST 9, 2000- Laubach Literacy- the world's oldest and largest literacy organization- has received $47,000 from the Romance Writers of America (RWA). The money was raised at RWA's annual "Readers for Life" literacy autographing, which was held at their national conference in Washington, DC, in July.

During the autographing, readers of romance fiction had books signed by their favorite authors. Then they purchased the books, which have been donated by the publishers, with the proceeds benefiting literacy efforts around the world.

The Metropolitan/Delta Adult Literacy Council and the Washington Literacy Council, two member programs of Laubach Literacy in the Washington, DC, area, will share 50 percent of the proceeds. Of the remaining money, 40 percent will go to Laubach Literacy and 10 percent will go to Laubach Literacy of Canada.

"The money raised from this event has not only benefited the local literacy programs that we partnered with in Washington," said Laubach's development officer, Jim Aiello, "but it will also help Laubach support its member programs around the world."

In the 10 years that RWA has hosted the "Readers for Life" literacy autographing, the association has raised almost $240,000 for literacy.

Laubach Literacy is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to helping adults and families improve their lives and their communities by learning reading, writing, math and problem-solving skills.

Founded in 1955 by literacy pioneer Dr. Frank C. Laubach, the organization has 1,100 member programs throughout the United States and 67 partner programs in 36 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Its U.S. Publishing Division, New Readers Press, produces and distributes 700 titles of adult educational materials to 30,000 literacy organizations, schools, libraries and other institutions across the country.

For more information on Romance Writers of America, please contact RWA Communications Manager Charis McEachern at (281) 440-6885 ext. 27 or visit their Web site at www.rwanational.com.

For more information, or to contact ProLiteracy Worldwide, see their website at: www.proliteracy.org