For more information, contact:
Kristin Calder
(561) 279-9103
E-mail: kcalder@literacypbc.org
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DIANE ACKERMAN TO SPEAK AT 26TH ANNUAL LOVE OF LITERACY LUNCHEON
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Jan. 11, 2017 – She’s written two dozen highly-acclaimed books, and one of them has been made into a soon-to-be-released movie. Diane Ackerman, an award-winning poet, author and naturalist, is the featured speaker for this year’s Love of Literacy Luncheon. The benefit is Thursday, March 16, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Proceeds will benefit the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County.
Ackerman’s works of nonfiction and poetry, including The Zookeeper’s Wife and A Natural History of the Senses, are beloved by millions of readers worldwide. The Zookeeper’s Wife has been made in to a movie starring Jessica Chastain. The film is scheduled for release in late March 2017.
The Zookeeper’s Wife, a little-known true story of WWII, became a New York Times bestseller, and received the Orion Book Award, which honored it as “a groundbreaking work of nonfiction, in which the human relationship to nature is explored in an absolutely original way through looking at the Holocaust.”
‘’We are excited to welcome author Diane Ackerman as we plan our 26th annual celebration of literacy for Palm Beach County,’’ said Kristin Calder, CEO of the Literacy Coalition. ‘’The Love of Literacy Luncheon is our signature event to raise needed funds for our programs, including Literacy AmeriCorps and our family literacy programs.’’
Members of the 2017 Love of Literacy Luncheon Committee include Leanne Adair, Dr. Regine Bataille, Jennifer Cacioppo, Kristin Calder, Chiara Clark, David Fleisher, Lisa Fullmer, Deborah Ghostine, Mim Harrison, Stephanie Kahlert, Lynn Kalber, Lawrence Katz, Patricia Knobel, Penny Kosinski, Dr. Joseph Lee, Hilary Lynch, Beatriz Mavlios, Bernadette O’Grady, Nicole Pasquale, Susan Rabinowitz, Tandy Robinson, Lori Richman, Karen Rogers, Carol Rose, Lourdes Sanchez, Laura Silver, Jorgette Smith, Therese Snyder, Ken Spillias, Emily Wilson, and Bettina Young, chair.
Luncheon sponsors to date are Presenting Sponsor: Bank of America; Platinum Sponsor Brenda Medore; Diamond Sponsor Schmidt Family Foundation; Gold Sponsors AT&T, Akerman LLP, GL Homes, Greenberg Traurig, Searcy, Denney, Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.; and Silver Sponsors Florida Power & Light and Lynn University.
Patron tickets are $300 and include a photo with the speaker at a private reception. General seating tickets are $150. Table sponsorships start at $1,500.
For more information about luncheon sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LiteracyPBC.org, or call 561-279-9103.
About the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
A recipient of the coveted 4-star Charity Navigator rating for eight consecutive years, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County works to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. One in seven adults in our county is unable to read and understand information found in books, newspapers and manuals and nearly half of all third graders are not reading on grade level. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, the Literacy Coalition strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. By providing services to more than 27,000 adults, children and families each year, the Literacy Coalition’s goal is for every child and every adult in Palm Beach County to be able to read.
