Early Literacy Program Celebrates Child Literacy Month

Online, November 16, 2010 (Newswire.com) - SANTA ANA, CA: The Early Literacy Program of Orange County will host an awareness event to support Child Literacy Month. The month of November is a time to recognize how important family support is towards the success of early childhood reading. In commemoration, the Early Literacy Program (ELP) will host an all day event at Cantina Lounge Mexican Grill from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010.

Guests can contribute to a cause while enjoying food and entertainment. Customers can help by demonstrating a flyer that will donate 20% of their bill to ELP. In addition, ELP will host a raffle in which guests can win gift cards. An information table will be set up in the patio where guests can sign up to be volunteers and have any questions answered.

"Our goal is to enhance our community; if everyone around us cannot succeed neither can we," said Cantina Lounge Director of Marketing Tamara Cruz. "Cantina Lounge understands that budget cuts have affected organizations in our community and we offer fundraising opportunities to help organizations in need."

According to First 5 LA, every year, 35 percent of American children start kindergarten without the language skills they need to learn to read. Studies of individual families show that supporting literacy in the home is more important to a child's success in school than family income or education level.

The Early Literacy Program advocates the importance of learning to read at a young age. ELP believes access to books and showing parents the importance of early literacy are effective strategies to help children start school prepared so that they can succeed.

"Children who haven't developed literacy skills by the time they enter school are three to four times more likely to drop out later," said ELP Director Kristen Thompson. "This month, we're partnering with programs that serve homeless children and children in underserved communities to promote reading and provide books for kids who may not otherwise have any. This fundraiser will help. We are appreciative to receive support from the community."

Flyers for this event can be printed on ELP's Facebook page. Cantina Lounge Mexican Grill is located at 2736 E Nutwood Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Early Literacy Program of Orange County is a non-profit organization that supports literacy programs by supplying books, readers and literacy resources. For more information, please visit www.earlyliteracyprogramoc.org.

Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez
[email protected]