FLORIDA’S CELEBRATION OF READING REACHES TENTH ANNIVERSARY
Annual event hosted by former Gov. Jeb and Columba Bush raises funds for family literacy
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2009) – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, again will serve as hosts of Florida’s annual Celebration of Reading, which marks its tenth year on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs. Florida’s Celebration of Reading has raised more than $14 million for family literacy programs in Florida and the southeastern U.S.
Gov. Bush’s parents – former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush – have been invited to join the Florida Celebration for the tenth consecutive year.
Additionally, national best-selling authors who have participated in the event since its inception in 2001 have been invited to return in celebration of the milestone year. To date, the following guest authors have confirmed:
- James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers, Flyboys and the upcoming The Imperial Cruise;
- Jill Conner Browne, the “Sweet Potato Queen” and author of numerous bestsellers including The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love;
- Mary Higgins Clark, the top-selling suspense writer in the U.S. and author of 24 novels including Where Are the Children? and A Stranger is Watching;
- Carol Higgins Clark, accomplished actress and author of nine bestselling Regan Reilly mysteries, including Decked and Snagged;
- Steve Doocy, the Emmy Award-winning co-host of the national “FOX & Friends” broadcast and bestselling author of Tales from the Dad Side and The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook;
- Jeffrey Engle, teacher of history at the Bush School of Government & Public Service, director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs and author of The China Diary of George H.W. Bush;
- Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling fiction author of The Book of Fate, The Tenth Justice and The Zero Game who is also the co-creator of the TV show, Jack & Bobby;
- Sharon Robinson, director of educational programming for Major League Baseball whose books, including Jackie’s Nine and Promises to Keep, share the important life lessons learned from her father, Jackie; and
- R.L. Stine, creator of the Goosebumps® Series with more than 300 million books sold, making him one the of best-selling children’s authors in U.S. history.
“As the nation celebrates Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (Oct. 18-23), we feel extremely fortunate to have the ongoing support of these tremendous authors to help us continue our family literacy programs throughout the southeastern U.S.,” said Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer USA Foundation, which manages the Family Literacy Initiative. “Of course, the Celebration of Reading simply wouldn’t exist without the Bush family’s longstanding commitment to family literacy. Their efforts on the state and national level have touched the lives of tens of thousands of American families, and we’re grateful for their leadership.”
The Florida Family Literacy Initiative is administered by the Volunteer USA Foundation, which provides funding, training and technical assistance for literacy providers. In addition to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, major partners include Carnival Cruise Lines, Comcast Cable, Publix Super Markets Charities, Florida Trend, Scholastic, JM Family and Walt Disney World Co.
Individual tickets to the Celebration of Reading are available for $250 per person, which includes the Celebration Dinner immediately following the reading program. The event begins at 6 p.m. Sponsorships are also available and include preferred seating, an exclusive function with members of the Bush family and other benefits.
For tickets or sponsorship information for the 2010 Celebration of Reading, contact Tina Matte, event coordinator, at 239-275-5758.