A personal plea for literacy

If you did not read the story I wrote for Sunday's edition of The Herald, I urge you to do so.

It's called "Third-Grade Literacy is Key for Later Success," and it tackles the thorny issue of our literacy shortcomings in Monterey County -- and nationwide. You can find it here.

Here's where my plea comes in: please join us this Friday for an important event. The Literacy Summit will gather Monterey County folks interested in seeing literacy levels go up as a way to help everyone improve our standards of living. Increased literacy is linked to better health outcomes, higher incomes, and better lifestyles over all. Children who enjoy reading enjoy school have a higher chance to stay in it for the long run. Communities where children attend school regularly and find healthy after school activities -- like reading a book -- have less crime.

But promoting literacy is something we should all embrace, and that's why I'd love to see you at Friday's event. The event is designed for all of us to learn more about why this is important and how we can become more involved and help.

If you've already signed up, thank you. If not, please consider attending.

For more information about the Literacy Campaign, or to sign up for the summit, click here.