PAT LAVINS 

Mary Silva, Executive Director of Literacy Services of Indian River County, has an ambitious agenda set to eradicate the alarming statistic that one in five adults in Indian River County is considered to have substandard literacy skills.  This is particularly sad when one realizes that the most important criteria of a child’s academic success is the literacy skills of the child’s parent. Luckily, she has a committed Board of Directors to assist in this goal.  The Board Chair is Don Mann and the newest additions are Jason Nunemaker, Mayor of Fellsmere and local author, Evelyn Mayerson.  Also on the Board are Matt McManus, John Banitt, Jill Robb, and Stu Monaghan. 

As a part of the decades long commitment for the Indian River Literacy Services organization, specific milestones are now under development with the Board of Directors for the next year.  Among the agenda items are:

– Saturday, December 7^th – Family Holiday Fest at Riverside Park.  In 2012 the first such event was a huge success and that success can be replicated again this year by anyone in the community wanting to be a part of the process.   Donations of brand new

children’s books to be handed out to participants are also encouraged.  Sponsorships for such things as the Bounce House and the Festival Train Ride are always welcome.  Anyone interested can call Mary Silva at 778-2223.

Late February 2014 – Reading Between the Wines will be a fundraising cocktail party at one of the more elegant homes on the barrier island.  Anyone wanting to be invited to this special event can send an e-mail to: literacy_VeroBeach@hotmail.com,  Unique donated auction items assist in enhancing the accumulation of funds that serve as the foundation of the organization. In this coming year, Literacy Services is hoping to auction books autographed by famous authors to emphasize the organization’s theme of one page, one book, one life at a time.

– April 4, 2014 – Author Cynthia Bardes will be the keynote speaker at the Love of Literacy luncheon.  Tentative arrangements have been made to hold this event at the Vero County Club because it can easily accommodate the anticipated 150 guests.  This event is the chance to have the students share their stories while everyone enjoys an elegant meal.  It is always a treat to learn how various personal goals have been met because of learning to read.

One major goal for the immediate future is the leasing of a facility to house the Tutor Resource Center so there is a specific location accessible to as many tutors and volunteers as possible. The growth in the demand for literacy training has created a need for more tutor training and a venue for the essential one-on-one attention that is a hallmark of the program. Housing the training manuals and resource material has become a critical need.

Anyone in the community can be a part of the solution to end illiteracy by making a financial contribution, participating in planning a fundraising event, attending a fundraising event, or

being a volunteer tutor.  The effort made today will directly allow your fellow citizen to be a better parent, employee and/or citizen.  Everyone in the community is welcome to be a part of impacting the future.