When’s the last time you sat down and read a book cover-to-cover? College? High school? How about the last time you read a book to your kids instead of placing them to the mercy of the TV? If it’s been a while, you might be interested in “Literacy Lights the Walk,” a fund-raiser hosted by the Harrisburg Mayor’s Commission on Literacy (HMCL) and held on City Island.

The purpose of “Literacy Lights the Walk” is to raise awareness of a number of programs that exist to help people with their reading skills. One such program, the Central Pennsylvania Literacy Council, is effective in curbing illiteracy, but, like many other similar programs, is unknown to many people who need help with reading. The HMCL, which was established by Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed, will act as a referral service to these beneficial programs by implementing one phone number with every literacy program available in the Midstate. In other words, if you need help reading, you can call the HMCL and they will refer you to the program most useful for you.

“Literacy Lights the Walk” will begin with an aerobic warm-up and the opening ceremonies with Mayor Reed. Then, from 6 p. to 7:15 p., the walk around City Island will take place. At 7:30 p., an awards ceremony will be held, and finally, at 8 p. all participants may enjoy a complimentary riverboat cruise.

In attendance at the fund-raiser will be Mayor Reed, Dr. Yates (the new superintendent of the Harrisburg school district), and John Paul Shaffer from WINK 104, as well as various live entertainment acts.

The HMCL stresses that this is a family event; research has found that many children are behind in their reading skills but still manage to continue on through school. Incidentally, funding for literacy is only available to adults. The HMCL would like to see the same opportunities available to kids as are available to adults, so be sure to bring the kids to this entertaining fund-raiser and get them acquainted with the chance to improve their reading.

Note: The HMCL would like to achieve their goal of improving literacy through fund-raisers such as this one, so keep your eyes and ears open for “Read Around the World” in November and other such jamborees in the months to follow.