In an effort to remind Utahns of those who are illiterate, the Utah Literacy Coalition and others sponsored a tree-lighting ceremony to kick off National Literacy Month.
September has been dubbed National Literacy Month and groups of volunteers will be working throughout the month to inform Utahns about illiteracy and to recruit volunteers.Utah first lady Colleen Bangerter was the guest of honor and asked residents of the state to turn on their porch lights, headlights or any other lights to remind everyone of the need to "shed light on illiteracy."
"May this tree bear fruit and remind us all of the importance of literacy," Bangerter said as strings of Christmas lights were illuminated.
One out of five Utahns is illiterate, Bangerter said as she praised the work of the volunteers and encouraged others to join the effort.
"The governor and I are very supportive of these efforts (to teach people to read)," she said. "Our prison is full of people who can't read or write. It does make a difference in our citizens."
Craig Peterson, an employee of Dominos Pizza, was there to offer support and encouragement to the volunteers. Throughout the month of September, Dominos will be sending flyers on illiteracy out with every pizza order.
"Can a person who only reads at a fourth-grade level survive in our technologically advanced world?" Peterson asked. He encouraged businesses to support the efforts of volunteers who are teaching people to read and write.
Brent Gubler, chairman of the Utah Literacy Coalition and state director of adult education, said there are 200,000 adults in the state who don't have a high school diploma.
The Utah Association of Women was represented by Mary Hausen, who is the Utah director of Literacy Volunteers of America. Her group is sponsoring and organizing the "Thousand Points of Light on Literacy."
The program is designed to train 1,000 volunteers to help tutor children who are at risk of dropping out. Volunteers must commit to working two hours a week as a tutor. The organization will train those volunteers Sept. 13 and 14.
Their goal is to put two volunteers to serve as tutors in each school in the state. Hausen said the group still needs nearly 500 volunteers to meet its goals. Anyone who is interested may sign up by calling 582-2896, 977-0900 or 328-5608.