Party in the Sky
North Texas literacy advocates get lifted to new heights at penthouse party
To kick off Toast to Literacy, its largest fundraiser of the year, Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT) held a penthouse soiree at The House at Victory Park, hosted by Dave Perry-Miller and Ebby Halliday. Supporters indulged in food and drink and toured residences, but they also learned an important lesson about the organization’s mission — and some shocking statistics about literacy in North Texas.
One important fact guests wouldn’t soon forget: One in five adults in Dallas is considered illiterate.
“Imagine the heartbreak of being unable to assist your child with homework or the frustration of trying to apply for a job when you can’t communicate effectively,” said Lisa Hembry, president and CEO of LIFT. “There are more than 850,000 low-literate persons in North Texas who experience this each day. By the year 2030, the number will be close to a million if we don’t reverse the trend.”
In an effort to do just that, on September 18, LIFT will welcome literacy advocates and wine enthusiasts to Union Station in downtown Dallas for seated dinner, live auction and raffle, and keynote speech from bestselling author Matthew Bondurant. New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Kent and Dallas real estate executive C.C. Allen will serve as co-chairs of the fundraiser.
Sponsorships of $5,000 and above entitle those donors to an exclusive pre-dinner wine tasting; individual seats are $200. All proceeds from the event benefit LIFT literacy programs, which help empower learners with reading skills to improve their quality of life.
Founded in 1961, LIFT’s mission is to enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. Each year through the dedication of more than 350 trained volunteers, LIFT serves thousands of adult learners in four program areas: adult basic literacy, GED preparation, English as a second language and family literacy.