(NAPSA)—As you read this, think about the children—and adults—who are unable to read, and how importantit is to do something aboutit. The Problem Although very few people in the United States are truly illiterate, there are many with low literacy skills who lack the foundation they need to find and keep decent jobs, support their children’s education and participate actively in everyday life. Between 21 and 28 percent of the adult population or approximately 44 million people, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey, fit that description. The People Who Help Helping disadvantaged children learn to read is an important part of a book distribution effort that teams the Scholastic Books Grants Program with Volunteers ofAmerica across the nation. “The goal of the program is to not only give books to disadvantaged kids, but to provide activities where they can be read to and learn to read,” said Charles Gould, president of Volunteers of America. “Sometime this year the one millionth free book will be in the handsof a child at risk who might not have a book otherwise. Learning to read and loving books can be an important part of helping The goal this year is to reach the 1-million mark in books distributed to disadvantaged children. children succeed in their education and adult life,” Gould said. “The ability to read is an important key to building a better future for many children whose families need a helping hand,” he added. Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, spiritually based organization providing human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. It serves more than 1.25 million people each year. Your Part You can be part of the solution. For more information, see www.VolunteersofAmerica.org.
