Celebrate International Literacy Day at Books For Africa

Local nonprofit will celebrate International Literacy Day a week from today on Thursday, Sept. 8.

From 9 a.m to 3 p.m. that day, the public is encouraged to come by the Books For Africa warehouse at 2971 Olympic Industrial Drive in Smyrna to donate books or volunteer to help sort and pack donated books and school supplies for shipment to Africa.

First celebrated in 1966, The United Nations’ (UN) International Literacy Day annually falls on Sept. 8 to raise people’s awareness of and concern for literacy issues in the world. Its goal is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

On International Literacy Day each year, United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrations take place around the world. The theme for the 2011 International Literacy Day is "Literacy and Peace."

“Literacy is the great equalizer in this world, allowing people to use education to rise above their circumstances and improve their lives,” said Pat Plonski, executive director of Books For Africa.  “We appreciate the tremendous support of the people in the Atlanta area in helping to advance literacy across the African continent.”

Also, Books For Africa’s 3rd Annual “Casino Night and Social Affair” fundraiser is in the works to be held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. STATS Sports Bar in downtown Atlanta will host the event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the festivities will include casino games, a silent auction, dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, and live entertainment.

Your $35 donation includes a $5 table credit to get your night kicked off. All proceeds will be used to ship a BFA container holding approximately 22,000 books to eager students in Zimbabwe. For more information on the fundraiser, call Ron Woods at 404-603-8680 or email Ron@booksforafrica.

Books For Africa is the world’s largest shipper of donated books to the African continent, working to increase literacy and improve access to education. Since 1988, Books For Africa has shipped more than 24 million books to 46 African countries, where they reach once-empty library shelves, in classrooms in rural schools, and in the hands of children who have never before held a book. Each book will be treasured and read over and over again.

The mission of Books For Africa is to end the book famine in Africa by collecting, sorting, shipping and distributing books to children in Africa. Books donated by publishers, schools, libraries, individuals, and organizations are sorted and packed by volunteers, who carefully choose books that are age and subject appropriate.

They send good books, enough books for a whole class to use.  The books are shipped in sea containers paid for by contributions and it costs about 50 cents to send a book from the United States to Africa