Union County Literacy Council Chocoholic Frolic

Thursday, February 9, 2012
6:00-8:00 pm General Admission ($25 advance/$30 door)
5:00-8:00 pm Patron Admission ($50)
at Dale Jarrett Ford on Hwy 74 West in Indian Trail
Tickets available online and at our office.

I want to encourage everyone in the Charlotte, Monroe or surrounding areas to consider attending the Literacy Council's Chocoholic Frolic!

Back when I taught at a local community college, the Literacy Council was located in our building and shared a computer lab with my department.  Each day I was able to see the good they were doing helping adults achieve literacy.  We often take for granted our ability to read and write; however, many struggle with this seemingly simple task.  As an adult, this can be not only embarrassing, but a strong barrier to success.  Some of their students never learned to read and some have suffered traumas that have made relearning necessary.

As Kelly Norton, the Executive Director notes:

Literacy Council of Union County, which serves nearly 300 adult students, operates a computer lab for 56.5 hours a week, and coordinates reading tutor programs across 13 sites in Union County... Our program depends on dedicated, volunteer tutors who teach adults in the community to read and write,” said Kelly Helms Norton, executive director at Literacy Council of Union County. This special event is the result of the generosity of volunteers, vendors and businesses that are creating a festive fundraiser in support of adult literacy.

My oldest son and a teenaged neighbor had the privelege of volunteering at the Literacy Council while in high school.

The Literacy Council is hoping to raise funds to continue doing this invaluable work.  All they are asking is that you come by and eat some wonderful chocolate themed foods prepared by local restaurants.

Restaurants in attendance will include:

All American Eggrolls
Barking Dog Chocolatiers
BiBi
Bruster's Ice Cream
Buddy Boy Candy
Carolina Cake Artistry
Diamond Springs Water & Coffee
Dove Chocolate Discoveries
Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne (pictured right)
Gimme a Cupcake
LINDT Chocolate RSVP
Lone Cone Toffee & Dolce Paradiso Bakery
Macaroni Grill
New South Kitchen & Bar
The Pampered  Chef
Reflections Salon & Spa
The South Charlotte Chef

In addition to the chocolate, there will be a raffle with prizes including a string of chocolate freshwater pearls with matching earrings provided by James Michael & Co. and a selection of chocolate from Trader Joe’s.

I don't know about you, but they had me at "chocolate."

The Literacy Council of Union County is a United Way of Central Carolinas member agency.  Find information about volunteering, about referring adults to be students and about purchasing tickets for Chocoholic Frolic at www.literacyunion.org.