-San Diego Council on Literacy
Oceanside, CA — On September 8, 2013, San Diego Council on Literacy board member Carrie Scott will celebrate her nearly three decades of service in literacy programming in a lofty way: by taking a 13,000-foot leap out of an airplane. Dubbed “Leap for Literacy,” Scott’s symbolic leap, courtesy of Tsunami Skydivers, takes place on International Literacy Day, 1:00pm at the Oceanside Municipal Airport.
Her first-ever skydive, the 55-year-old literacy program coordinator hopes the buzz surrounding the Leap will raise $13,000 to help the San Diego Council on Literacy enhance the availability and quality of literacy services throughout the region.
While jumping out of an airplane to, quite literally, elevate awareness for reading programs may seem a little “flighty,” Scott sees a genuine parallel.
“When I began my work in this field 25 years ago, it truly was a leap,” she said. “As a first-time literacy professional or volunteer, you don’t know what to expect. All you know is that you are excited, nervous and passionate about the cause, so you dive in head-first.”
The non-profit San Diego Council on Literacy unites community support, advocacy and resources for San Diego County’s 27 affiliated literacy programs. In 2012, nearly 170,000 adults and youth received free literacy services, including one-on-one, small group, computer-assisted, and classroom literacy services for English speakers and non-English speakers.
“Over the years, we have had many supporters offer to host Council fundraising events, but this is the first time anyone has ever offered to jump out of an airplane for us,” said San Diego Council on Literacy Chief Executive Officer Jose Cruz. “It is a privilege to be on the receiving end of Carrie’s volunteer time, creativity and enthusiasm.”
Cruz added that although he is delighted with the unexpected fundraising opportunity, he would not join the actual plunge. “I’ll be right there with Carrie on September 8 … in the drop zone, handing out bottled water and sandwiches.”
Donations to Carrie Scott’s Leap for Literacy can be made online at www.youcaring.org/literacyleap.
Facebook and Twitter #leapforliteracy
About the San Diego Council on Literacy
The San Diego Council on Literacy unites the community to support literacy through leadership, advocacy and resources. Learn more at www.literacysandiego.org, on Twitter: @sdliteracy, or by calling 888-850-READ