Many people take the ability to read for granted, but it’s a challenge for the almost 21 percent of Duval County residents who aren’t able to read at a fourth-grade level.
Toward the goal of helping more of the community become literate, the Literacy Council of Jacksonville sponsored a limerick contest to raise funds to support adult basic education.
The Literacy Council is a partnership among Learn to Read, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Public Library and the Clay County Literacy Coalition.
Matthew Kelley, a senior software engineer at CSX Corp., penned the limerick selected best by a panel of judges and received a $100 gift certificate from Culhane’s Irish Pub at Jacksonville Beach.
Judy Bradshaw, interim executive director of Learn to Read, said 164 adults are learning to read in the program this week, but the demand for tutors is always greater than the supply.
“We are always looking for more volunteer tutors,” she said.
Bradshaw said Learn to Read is hosting “Read Between the Wines,” a wine- and beer-tasting fundraiser from 5:30-7 p.m. April 25 at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens on Riverside Avenue.
For more information about Learn to Read and volunteer tutor opportunities, call Alicia Harris at 630-2408.
To read more of the limericks submitted in the contest, visit literacycouncilofjacksonville.blogspot.com.
356-2466
The winner:
Jacksonville is a city of leaders
Who know we must build better readers.
Commit money or time
To help reading rates climb.
It’s the foundation of all great achievers.
– Matthew Kelley, senior software engineer, CSX Corp.