In 2013, there were a number of events to help improve literacy in San Diego. The events were sponsored by the San Diego Council on Literacy (literacysandiego.org), Reach Out and Read San Diego (www.rorsd.org), and Words Alive (www.wordsalive.org).
In February, the San Diego Council on Literacy sponsored The Bee. The Bee is a team spelling bee with judges, prizes, and a silent auction. The event provides participants a team-building and networking opportunity. There were celebrity expert spellers, judges, and corporate, nonprofit, and individual teams.
The 4th Annual Read and Romp Fundraiser in support of the Reach Out and Read School Readiness Program was held in March. The program, sponsored by Reach Out and Read San Diego (www.rorsd.org), featured book-themed activities designed for children ages two through eight. This event is sponsored annually by the local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Eat, Drink, Read was another event sponsored by the San Diego Council on Literacy. Held in May, the event brought out local chefs, who prepared unique dishes inspired by their favorite book.
The 10th Annual Author’s Luncheon sponsored by Words Alive was held in November and featured New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman, who has published twenty-one novels, three books of short fiction, and eight books for children and young adults.
