Summer 2011

Special Thanks to These Sponsors:

Basking in sweet success of the 4th Annual Reading between the WinesSignature event raises over $70,000 for literacy students

New York Times best-selling author Carl Hiaasen charmed more than 300

guests with his witty style and candid conversation at the 4th Annual Reading between the Wines, presented by Bank of America. The sold-out event was held at the Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel. Hiaasen offered attendees a refreshing look into his craft, which includes his recent best-seller, Star Island, along with tidbits on his career as a journalist at the Miami Herald and his thoughts on small-town politics. Local humorist and mystery novelist Bob Morris led the evening’s discussion with insightful and engaging questions.

Participating sponsors donated an assortment of scrumptious appetizers and fine wine. Guests also enjoyed bidding on various home, entertainment, jewlery and sports memorabilia packages featured in the silent auction.

These authors, along with the generous support of numerous business partners, donated their time and talents to raise over $70,000 for literacy in Central Florida. The funds will help the Adult Literacy League continue to develop literacy skills in adults and children so they can succeed in school and in society.

Headline Sponsor

Best Cellar Sponsors

Page Turner Sponsors

Book Mark SponsorsCentral States EnterprisesDatawise, Inc., Kate KinsleyDick BatchelorFoley & Lardner, LLPGAI Consultants, Inc.Gruppo MezzacoronaLowndes, Drosdick, Doster,Kantor & Reed, P.A.M & I BankOrlando MagicPam Brandon Editorial ServicesSonny’s Franchise CompanyUstler Group of CompaniesWalt Disney World ResortWFTV-CH9/WROQ-CH27Winter Park ConstructionFood SponsorsCRAVEInternational Delights CateringJason’s DeliShin Japanese Cuisine Sushi & Sake Bar

Featured DessertsGaby OrtigoniHeartsong Cookies, LLC.Melina Berry, pastry chefWine SponsorsABC Fine Wine & SpiritsGruppo MezzacoronaDarden Restaurants and their wine partners including:BanfiDiageoHess CollectionKobrandSte Michelle Wine EstatesWinebowSpecial program support for our students provided by:

From left - Photo 1: Terri Spoon, tutor, enjoys an exciting evening with her parents. Photo 2: Author Carl Hiaasen signs books for headline sponsors, Bank of America. Photo 3: Nadya Mishutina, ALL staff, promoting Reading between the Wines. Photo 4: (from left) Melina Berry, Carl Hiaasen, and Michael Berry in front of their special “Carl Hiaasen’s Florida” cake. Photo 5: Bob Morris and Carl Hiaasen discuss Hiaasen’s multi-book career.

I’m Reading a Good Book!

Jay BrownALL Tutor (2 students) and Tutor Support Committee

The Grand Becoming by Joyce M. Neverson

A religious book written by Jay’s sister!

Gail Downing ALL Tutor (2 students) and Tutor Support Committee

Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriageby Hazel Rowley

“It’s a well-documented story on the Roosevelt’s truly extraordinary marriage.”

Jane StrakerALL Tutor Support Committee

Man Hunt by James Swanson

“A different perspective than the history books – it’s an hour by hour account of the tracking down of John Wilkes Booth.”

Since January, the Adult Literacy League has served over 300

preschool children in its Read to Me! Book Club, nearly doubling the amount of students served in previous years. The Adult Literacy League credits this success to financial support from individual donors and organizational support from several funders including the

Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants and the City of Orlando through the Mayor’s Matching Grant Program.

The Read to Me! Book Club is a family literacy program designed to help children from low-income households develop a love for reading by encouraging parents to read to children and engage in learning activities daily. The program is featured in several Head Start centers in Central Florida along with Orlando and Winter Park Day Nurseries.

The program has helped families like Mayumi and her 6-year-old son, James, become better readers.

“I can’t thank you enough for your support,” Mayumi said. “James loves reading books.” Mayumi, who is also a student in the League’s English Language Literacy (ESOL) program, said she and James have read over 400 books since he entered Kindergarten last fall. “He’s a good reader. He teaches me some words I don’t know,” she said.

Read to Me! Book Club family literacy programto set new record with readers

Top: Ethan and Elijah Vessell at Taft Head Start hold a Mickey Mouse statue in celebration of Disney’s Helping Kid’s Shine grant.

From left - Photo 1: Noah and Adrian Correa of Bithlo pose with a Magic ball to celebrate ALL receiving a $30,000 grant from the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund.

Photo 2: Walt Disney World Resort’s Christi Erwin Donnan presents a $13,0000 check to ALL staff members Sherry Clark and Janel Stephens for the Disney’s Helping Kids Shine grant program.

They’ve logged 20,000 hours of instruction and more than 5,000 hours of general support in the office, on committees and at events. There’s no dispute that the volunteers at the Adult Literacy League are the

lifeblood of the organization. To show how much volunteers are treasured, the League hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Harry P. Leu Gardens in February. The Young Lawyers Section of the

Orange County Bar Association was among several honored for their hard work. Special thanks to Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q and Leu Gardens for sponsoring the event.

Our Volunteers ROCK!

Your Fantastic Tutor Support Committee

Eleanor Ackermann ALL Tutor and Tutor Support Committee

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

“It has been interesting reading a depression-era novel on my high-tech Nook!”

Mary Ann Boardman ALL Tutor and Tutor Support Committee

The Bin Ladens by Steve Coll

“It’s very interesting and provides a lot of background information on the Bin Laden family.”

What are you reading? Let us know on Facebook! ALL4Literacy

ALL Volunteer Receives Tampa Bay Buccaneers Community Quarterback Award

Ron Schorsch, a dedicated volunteer with the Adult Literacy League,

was recently awarded the “2011 Community Quarterback Award” from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The award is given annually to people who have made exceptional and lasting contributions in their communities.

Schorsch, a successful computer programmer from Silicon Valley, began volunteering with the Adult Literacy League in 2006. He started as a tutor working with an adult learner with very low reading skills. Since then, Schorsch has taught various students and has logged almost 1,000 volunteer tutoring hours to help improve their reading and writing skills. In addition to teaching, Schorsch volunteers 10 hours a week to help interview and enroll prospective students into the program, showcasing a true desire to help adults improve their literacy skills.

Schorsch was one of five individuals in Central Florida and Tampa Bay to receive the award in March.

Like a Quarterback, Ron knows how to work with a team and gets things done. He is also able to take leadership and independently work his way towards the goal line—which for him means another adult learning to read, write, and communicate in English.

Top: Ron Schorsch, tutor and volunteer interviewer.

From left - Photo 1: Board member Ian Schneider and ALL staff member Paola Lopez show support for Ron at the award ceremony in Tampa. Photo 2: Former NFL Quarterback Parnell Dickinson, Ron Schorsch, and Miray Holmes at the 2011 Community Quarterback Award ceremony.

ALLin the COMMUNITY

ALL scores touchdown for literacy

The Adult Literacy League recently participated in the 5th Annual Max Starks Youth Football Camp in June. More than 400 youth from Parramore attended the event at Lake Highland Preparatory School which featured several NFL football players. ALL Executive Director Joyce Whidden joined a discussion on the importance of family literacy with Jemele Hill of ESPN and NFL football stars.

Bee a part of the Buzz!

The Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association presents the Lawyers for Literacy Spelling Bee on October 20 at 6 p.m. at The Double Tree by Hilton in downtown Orlando. The award-winning event features a spirited competition among some of the sharpest minds in the legal community vying to become the next Spelling Bee Champion of the Year! Interested in competing or being a sponsor? Contact Daryl Gottlieb of Fisher, Rushmer, Werrenrath, Dickson, Talley & Dunlap, P.A. at 407-843-2111 or dgottlieb@fisherlawfirm.com.

Learn more about literacy

ALL Development and Communications Director Janel Stephens spoke about adult literacy at the Altrusa International’s “A Festival of Fashion Luncheon & Fashion Show” in March. If you belong to a civic or faith-based organization and would like ALL to do a presentation for your club,

From left - Photo 1: Joyce Whidden with Pittsburgh Steeler and literacy supporter, Max Starks. Photo 2: Development and Communications Director Janel Stephens and instructor Jakita Allen hand out materials at the Max Starks Youth Football Camp.

The Adult Literacy League, Inc.develops readers to build astrong and literate community.

Phone: 407.422.1540Fax: 407.422.1529E-mail: info@adultliteracyleague.orgwww.adultliteracyleague.org

345 W. Michigan Street, Suite 100Orlando, FL 32806

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

ORLANDO FL PERMIT #3904

A D U LT L I T E R AC Y L EAG U E ‘11 B OA R D O F D I R EC TO RS

PresidentLeslie Golden, Esq., Valencia Community College

Vice PresidentS. Brendan Lynch, Esq., Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor, & Reed, P.A.

TreasurerMarcos Rubert, CNL Bank

SecretaryChristi Erwin Donnan, Disney Cruise Line

Heidi Bedell, Starwood Vacation OwnershipSandra Blossey, Ph.D., Community VolunteerRick Caron, Esq., Foley & Lardner, LLPSean Christiansen, Ph.D., UCFSuzanne Eustache, ALL StudentMari Jones, St. Cloud Regional Medical CenterJessica Kepple, Fifth Third Bank

Nadime H. Nader, OUC - The Reliable OneMary Ng, Darden RestaurantsDianne Randolph, Community VolunteerTodd Robley, MBA Candidate, Rollins CollegeIan Schneider, Flippers PizzaPeggy Yu, KPMG

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ORGANIZATION #SC01925 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE 1-800-435-7472. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. NO OUTSIDE INDIVIDUAL OR FIRM HAS BEEN HIRED TO SOLICIT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THIS ORGANIZATION. 100% OF CHARITABLE GIFTS ARE RETAINED BY THIS ORGANIZATION.

Family programCrayons – 8-pack, large washable crayons (for small fingers)Markers – 8-pack, washable4.5” blunt-tipped, children’s school scissors2 oz. bottles washable school glue9” x 11” construction paper – variety of colors

Adult ProgramCopy paper: white, multi-purpose – for small group lesson hand-outsPost-it notes: any size and color (even if it has your logo!)

Over 200 learners and volunteers use our center each week, so we need:- Toilet paper- Paper towels- Coffee, creamer in packets, & sweeteners in packets- 8 oz. styrofoam cups & 8 oz. paper/plastic cups

Every Contribution Goes a Long Way Our Wish List

Thanks for theserecent generous contributions:Allstate Giving CampaignChesley G. Magruder FoundationDollar General Literacy FoundationGlazer Family FoundationTampa Orlando Pinellas (TOP) Jewish Foundation, Inc.Orange County GovernmentOrlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation FundSt. Margaret Mary FoundationWalt Disney World Resort

Disney EARS to You Volunteers: Katriena Bradbury, Marianne Schum, Marta Marnell, Christi Erwin Donnan, Lisa Bernardini, Milton Mersinger

And many thanks to our volunteers who contribute through Heart of Florida United Way.

We thank the following for their generous in-kind donations:Terri Chastain Val LandrySarah Dewitz Ian SchneiderRita Fontanez Lisa WarrenSharon Hartman Jennifer Wilson

Thank you for ALL that you do!Special thanks to all of our donors.A full list can be found at www.adultliteracyleague.org

Our students give 110% each week to improve their lives. You can help them

reach their goals by becoming a member of the 110% ALL4Literacy Club today.

Visitwww.adultliteracyleague.org/ecampaign