On
May 11, 2009, Literacy Partners 25th Anniversary "Evening of Readings" Gala
met and exceeded fundraising goals. Thanks to the generous support
of New York Society and headliners from the worlds of fashion, design
and media Literacy Partners raised over $1.2 million to help fight
adult illiteracy.
Chaired by celebrated New Yorkers Liz Smith, Arnold Scaasi and Parker
Ladd, this year's event featured television commentator Barbara Walters
and authors Marie Brenner, David Wroblewski and Christopher Buckley. Each
read aloud from their most recent work, using a Sony "Reader Digital
Book."
Literacy Partners, New York's only accredited adult literacy organization,
honored philanthropists Nina Rennert Davidson and Mitchell Davidson
and author and historian Barbara Goldsmith for their leadership and
dedication in support of adult literacy. In addition, Director
Steven Daldry accepted the “Face of Literacy” award on
behalf of himself and Kate Winslet for bringing attention to the issue
of adult illiteracy in The Reader.
Also in attendance were Martha Stewart, Lesley Stahl, Barbara Taylor
Bradford, Mary Higgins Clark, Ira Rennert and Ingeborg Rennert, Julia
Koch, Jane Friedman, Robert Thomson, Heather Mnuchin, Susan Magrino
Dunning, Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss, Cornelia Guest, Rory Tahari, Peggy
Northrop, Mica Ertegun, Peggy Siegal, Tommy Tune, Dr. & Mrs. Mark
Meyer, Mr. & Mrs. William Rayner, among others.
For 35 years, Literacy Partners has helped thousands of New Yorkers
learn the basic reading, writing and math skills needed to succeed
in day-to-day living. Through successful collaborations with major
corporations, community partners and benefactors, Literacy Partners
offers small, welcoming classes taught by enthusiastic, highly trained
volunteer tutors. Literacy Partners is the only nationally accredited
adult literacy program serving New York City.
