Love of Literacy Luncheon Raises More Than $150,000
2021-22 Read Together Palm Beach County Book Announced at Event
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Nov. 19, 2021 – Thanks to generous supporters and the draw of bestselling author Michael Connelly, the 30th annual Love of Literacy Luncheon brought in more than $150,000 to fund literacy programs throughout Palm Beach County. Nearly 450 guests attended the Kravis Center event in person while dozens tuned in virtually.
Connelly, a former South Florida crime reporter, shared with the audience his life’s journey to becoming one of the most well-known authors in the world through a conversation on stage with Scott Eyman. Eyman is also a former South Florida reporter and a New York Times bestselling author. Connelly has published 36 novels – including his latest, The Dark Hours, just released on November 9. Connelly is also the executive producer of Bosch, Amazon’s longest-running original series.
Literacy Coalition board members Bernadette O’Grady and Debra Ghostine co-chaired the luncheon. Sponsors included: Presenting Sponsor Bank of America; Platinum Sponsor Brenda Medore; Literacy AmeriCorps Luncheon Sponsor GL Homes; Gold Sponsors AT&T, Gentle Medicine Associates, Inc., Barbara and Len Gray, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., Kosinski Foundation & The Robinson Family Foundation, Karen Rogers, and Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.; Silver Sponsors Akerman, LLP, Simone and Peter Bonutti, First Horizon Foundation, Florida Power & Light, Levenger Foundation, Plastridge Insurance, Publix Super Markets Charities, Bob and Kathy Richards, and Bernadette O’Grady/WPTV 5.
Announced at this year’s luncheon is the book chosen for the 2021-22 Read Together Palm Beach County campaign. The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg is about an unlikely friendship that develops among three people, all of whom have lost the one they love most. The reading campaign kicked off November 16 and wraps up on April 1, 2022, at the 31st Annual Love of Literacy Luncheon, where Berg will be the featured speaker.
The countywide reading campaign encourages adults to read the same book at the same time; the goal being to get people engaged in discussing the themes of the book and to help entice those who can read but seldom do to get in the habit of reading again. The Story of Arthur Truluv is available in paperback at libraries and bookstores. The Literacy Coalition is also providing copies of the book for a $10 donation.
For more information, 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 12 consecutive years, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County works to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. In Palm Beach County, 22% of adults age 16 older lack basic literacy skills and can’t fill out a job application or read a bus schedule 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 46,867 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.
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For more information, contact:
Kristin Calder
(561) 279-9103
(561) 635-8423 (mobile)
E-mail: kcalder@literacypbc.org
