See http://realvibez.tv/rotaryracetoliteracy

Yes, our big kick off event for the Guinness World Record attempt for the “Most Books Donated to Charity in Seven Days” will be Kids’ Day.  It’s the first day of Child Month and we are having a fun filled day.  It’s FREE.

Come out and see:

• Elmo, Zoe and Grover from Sesame Street
• Dora
• Jana Bent and Shaggy Parrot
• Interactive Readings, Arts and Crafts and Puppet Shows by el-Centro
• Face Painting by Quizz
• Body painting by Eon and Bobby
• balloon Maker by Neil
• and much more…..

If you did a search on the Internet, a number of articles would come up.  Have you seen these, for example?  Have a look.  Then search on the Internet for “Race To Literacy”….we are all making waves!

Race to Literacy – Donate a Book to a Child

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100212/news/news1.html

Rotary Book Drive Needs Money

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100301/business/business1.html

Bedtime stories : Read to your babies

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100308/news/news8.html

Yoga breathes money into book drive

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100309/news/news3.html

Rotary Book Drive steps into record-breaking gear

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100322/news/news3.html

The Race To Literacy  – Make it a Habit

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100322/news/news7.html

Market on the Lawn

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100328/lead/lead6.html

GG joins Race To Literacy

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100331/lead/lead3.html

USAID on Board to Boost Book Drive

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100405/lead/lead3.html

Spring Breakers Help in Rotary Book Drive

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100418/arts/arts3.html

Spartan Health Club Supports Book Drive

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100418/arts/arts5.html

UNESCO supports The Rotary Race To Literacy

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100418/arts/arts6.html

Did you know that our Guinness World Record attempt for the ‘Most Books Donated to Charity in Seven Days‘ starts on the first day of Child Month (May 1), and takes place during the first week of education week?  It does!  And right in the middle is the long-standing Read Across Jamaica Day!

The Rotary Race to Literacy Book Drive Project is encouraging EVERYONE to participate and support our schools, teachers and students in Read Across Jamaica Day.  We have made it clear that our number one objective is the support of literacy and obtaining materials for reading programs, and we have heavily emphasized children and students.  We also have our school challenge ongoing below (see flier)

So here’s some more about Read Across Jamaica Day:

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)  has declared Tuesday May 4, 2010 as Read Across Jamaica Day.

What is Read Across Jamaica Day?

Read Across Jamaica Day is being celebrated during Education Week 2010. The JTA appeals to the nation to focus on the importance of reading and the need to motivate children to read.

Why Read Across Jamaica Day?

• To encourage students to be active readers.
• To promote reading and “literacy as the gateway to knowledge which opens the possibilities for future success”.

What can YOU and I do to participate?

Go into schools and read.  Contact one of your old schools, or a school close to where you work, or a school where you volunteer and make arrangements to read to students during that day.  Doesn’t have to be long.  You can do a short story.  Work it out with the school.  I remember reading a book to Grade 1 students and it was lots of fun – and a very short book – and very rewarding.  They really followed the story and could answer all my quizzes after – now, you don’t have to do that but it is amazing to see how riveted these children are to you reading…..try it!   It’s fun too when you take your favourite book.  I’ve done it and it’s great!  Anybody can go so make sure you volunteer!

And remember our school challenge!

Tonight, we want to feature an enabling partner – Novelty Trading

This picture speaks for itself – this is what they have started to pack out to DONATE from their inventory.  They’re not done yet!

Thank YOU Novelty Trading! And that is not all they’ve done!  Check this out:

As you know Novelty has generously partnered with the Rotary Race to Literacy in a very BIG way.

• First, they prepared their own promotional material and launched a launched at 50% off sale (on select books) at their Novelty downtown store and all Bookland locations in New Kingston, Montego Bay and Mandeville.  They also made  the same offer available through several retailers islandwide.

• Then they came out with us on a Sunday at Market At The Lawn to make books available to the public at deeply discounted prices – 50% off -  just for donation.

• In an earlier post, More Exciting News From Novelty Trading, I listed the retailers below (listed again) who are participating in the drive.

Participating Outlets to Buy Books at GREAT Prices!

• Manor Park Pharmacy, Shop 1 Manor Park Plaza, Kingston 8
• Cannonball Cafe, Shop 5, 29 East Kings House Road, Kingston 6
• Town Centre Pharmacy, Shop 23, 17 Burke Road, Spanish Town
• Fontana Pharmacy, Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay
• Fontana Pharmacy, Shop 2 Beckford Plaza, Savanna-la-Mar
• Grand Pharmacy, 2 Top Road, Brown’s Town
• KJR Pharmacy, 35 Queen Street, Morant Bay, St. Thomas
• Nu Walters Pharmacy, 18 High Street, Black River, St. Elizabeth

PLEASE NOTE: Novelty can only make deeply discounted prices available if

1)      You place the donated book back in the box.  If you have concerns about doing that, just sign and date it on the inside cover AND

2)      You fill out their donation form.  Now, you are always welcome to buy other books, read them and donate them  later – BUT if you buy the 50% off books they must go in the box accompanied  by a form.  It is not meant as an inconvenience – it is meant to ensure that  your donation is recognized.

The Rotary Race To Literacy project has  announced that the drop off point that collects the most books will receive  special recognition so it is necessary to keep track of those numbers.  We  have a record of 242,624 books to beat – we can only do this together.

Thank you for your cooperation!

In terms of FREE services, we have had the generous help of Corporations as enabling partners, drop off points and of course, major donors.

Now, we are getting some help in GIVEAWAYS.  THANK YOU!  Here are some of the ones we have going now:

• Tonight, at the DECK.  Thank you DIGICEL for the FREE Blackberry to the person who donates the most books.

• March 30th-April 23rd.  Thank YOU GTECH, Innovative Corporate Solutions and Xtreme Solutions for the computer to the school who collects the most books – one for a basic school, one for a primary/prep school and one for a seconday/high/all age school

• April 28th – “Drive For the Drive”  – thanks to Constant Spring Golf Club and Jamaica Golf Association.  Thank you YES Golf for the gift certificate to the golfer who brings the most books.  Entrance fee – books.  Complimentary wine and cheese thanks to Caribbean Producers Jamaica

In today’s Gleaner, there is an article:  USAID on Board to Boost Book Drive

On April 1, 2010, Dr. Karen Hilliard spoke at the Rotary Club of Kingston.

See full text of her remarks here: Dr. Karen Hilliard. USAID – Speech as Prepared for Rotary Club of Kingston. April 1.2010

Dr. Hilliard: “The Rotary Race to Literacy truly represents the kind of response that Jamaica’s youth need. We are very excited to support this effort. Our colleagues at the embassy are overseeing continued book donations. I will be donating a book from my own collection, as will members of my team, and USAID/Jamaica will contribute US$2,000 to purchase books from a local supplier. From our perspective the Race to Literacy comes at an ideal time.”

Today, let’s dedicate some time to explaining WHY we are all doing this.

I think we know WHAT it is….it is an effort to get a LOT of books.  It is all part of a Guinness World Record attempt to break a record for the “Most Books Donated To Charity in 7 Days”.  Yes, breaking a world record is exciting.  Yes, Guinness World Records is the authority on these attempts.  But WHY this record?  WHY at this time?  WHY in this way?  One at a time…

WHY this record – “Most Books Donated To Charity in 7 Days”?

• We need to start with what is being donated – BOOKS!  Why is that important?  Because we are in need of reading material.  In general, there is a need to upgrade the collection at the libraries in Jamaica.  They have reading programs – and they don’t have enough books and enough variety.  Of critical importance is that Jamaica has a deficiency of reading material for children – the most important time in a child’s life is in the early childhood years.  We have reading programs, and limited books. Rotary chose the library service as the primary recipient deliberately.  First, it was the MOST fair.  The library service provides books islandwide with branches, school, mobile, hospitals, prisons, children’s homes, nursing homes etc.  EVERYONE would benefit.  Second, they are the best custodian for books – that’s what libraries do – they care for books.  So these donations will last for a very long time.  NOW, IF we get enough books for children, they can go to the basic schools.  BUT we have A LOT of basic schools and we cannot give some and not others – that would not be fair for a national and international effort.  Appropriate books will go to Haiti – they are in desperate need for books.

• We need to also look at literacy.  Books are a critical part of achieving literacy – people need material to read.  More material, more variety, more appropriate material – more literacy.  Literacy is the foundation of sustainable development.

1. There is a proven link between literacy and reduced crime – people who are literate use options like reasoning and debate to handle differences rather than violence.
2. There is a proven link between literacy and improved health – people who read and understand what they are reading can take appropriate preventative measures, give the right dosage for medication etc.
3. There is a proven link between literacy and economic development. People who are literate are easier to train, more easily advance through the education system and can be more productive and develop industries and sectors that contribute to society. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

• It is an achievement that would be a collective effort.  No one person will be doing it.

• It is an achievement that will be in the service of others “donated to charity”

WHY at this time?

• We are in a literacy crisis in Jamaica.  85% is commendable, but below target.  More than 75% of children are entering Grade 1 and are NOT emergent readers.  That is completely unacceptable.  How can we stay at 85% or improve – we are moving in the wrong direction.  We need more books, we need more appropriate books, we need all stakeholders to be seized with the urgency of this problem.  This project is about books AND awareness.  In Haiti, before the earthquake, the literacy rate was about 45%.  In the absence of serious help, this will only deteriorate and rapidly so.

• In Jamaica, we are inundated with negative news.  Too many to mention here.  But here is a chance for us all to work together to show that we can work together – all stakeholders – and do something in the national interest for the betterment of those less fortunate, and the whole society at large.   The week of the record attempt is being designed specifically to be something positive, something for others and something fun.

• To really help Haiti, let us use this opportunity of having all this media and interest to draw attention to a way to help Haiti in a sustainable way- through education.  Education helps every person to help himself or herself.

WHY in this way?

• Well, since everyone will benefit, everyone should participate.  Everyone can be a part of this history.  The books are going to a place that everyone can access them.

• This project is about books and awareness.  There is no requirement to have events but we are having them PRECISELY to draw attention to the literacy problem and the fact that with MINIMAL EFFORT everyone can do SOMETHING about it.  So we have had ‘Breathe for Books’, ‘First Fridays’ and upcoming are “Oldies Session on April 10th’ and ‘Drive for the Drive’ golf tournament on April 28th – both have prizes for the most books.  Other organizations have generously allowed and are allowing the book drive to be associated.  So far, Farenheit dedicated his birthday party to the Race to Literacy, and BNM is doing another dedication this Wednesday.  Some more events are coming up so look for those.

• The week of the Guinness World Record attempt will be full of events for the family – again, to raise awareness and give everyone a good time while doing a good deed.  May 1-May 7 we will be in Emancipation Park – specifically requested because the people see that Park as their own.  Events will be announced soon but I promise you they are not to be missed.  That is the official donation period.  We will be collecting, counting, packing boxes and stacking boxes with the media out there plus live streaming on the Internet, integrated with Facebook and Twitter for all seven days.

So please, share this post.  Give books today.  Let’s make history together.  But most importantly, let’s change the world…WE can actually shape an entire generation with this project.  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

The boys of the Interact Club of Jamaica College deserve special mention!  For those of you who do not know, Interact is for ages 13-18.

They contacted me over a week ago to say they wanted to do a book drive at school to collect books to make a donation for the Guinness World Record attempt.

They asked for boxes, I gave them boxes.

They said they had DESIGNED THEIR OWN FLIER.

They CREATED THEIR OWN EVENT PAGE ON FACEBOOK! http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=109294475753660&ref=ts

In less than a week, they asked me if I could arrange for the books to be picked up since they had no where to store the more than 400 books they had collected already!

This is what this is ALL about – getting the youngsters excited about a project focused on reading, literacy and books!

See some photos below!  When I get all the names to thank I will!  For now, special mention to Terence Thompson, President and Joel Higgins!