You might say I have a built-in bias when it comes to reading.
People don't read, I don't eat. Of course, some people say I never eat anyhow. They may be right.
Still, as a newspaper editor, I have a vested interest in literacy.
That's why I am proud to be a big booster of the Delaware County Literacy Council.
I was honored again last night to attend their annual celebration of Champions of Adult Literacy at Harrah's Casino in Chester.
I was lucky enough to be one of those honored last year. This year they picked three more citizens for laurels. They made some terrific choices.
Each winner is introduced by a student who is working with the Literacy Council. It's pretty inspiring to hear Maria Van Buskirk, a native of Venezuela, talk about the difference the Literacy Council has made in her life. Onnica Gaglio talked about making some bad decisions in her young life and how the Literacy Council got her back on the right track. And Denise King spoke openly about her battle to achieve her GED.
The crowd was inspired by the first winner of the night, Kristin Ball Motley, founded Health Care Solutions Delaware Valley to help adults become more literate and cost-conscious about their medications. The Chester High grad spoke passionately about how she was headed in the wrong direction in life, and how her parents and the Literacy Council helped her change her course.
Patricia Hasson, president of Clarifi, which helps adults obtain financial literacy and works with people to avoid foreclosures, was honored for her firm's work, and state Rep. Joe Hackett, R-161, was lauded for pushing hard to get changes in state law to help GED students.
I add my salute to this year's winners, and one of the true unsung agencies doing critically important work.
If you would like to find out how you can help the Delaware County Literacy Council, reach out to them at their website, www.delcoliteracy.org.
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