ANN ARBOR, Mich. (October 9, 2014) – Washtenaw Literacy is providing an opportunity to channel your inner Gatsby while you support the area’s one in six adults who struggle to read and write. The group’s popular annual benefit gala is getting bigger and better, donning a Jazz Age theme to raise funds for its highly effective free literacy programs. 
This year’s event -- dubbed “Driving Literacy” -- will be held on October 18, 6pm, at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris Lawrence Building. It features 1920s wear and dance demonstrations as well as opportunities to go home with goods via live and silent auctions and a dazzling loose diamond raffle. This year’s special guest host is Detroit Free Press columnist and literacy advocate Rochelle Riley.
Bid on silent auctions or buy tickets here: http://bit.ly/DrivingLit
“Rochelle is passionate about the challenges of adult literacy, and how our economy and workforce can be strengthened through improving basic skills for low-literate citizens,” said Amy Goodman, executive director of Washtenaw Literacy. “Her enthusiasm and warmth are infectious. We’re thrilled to share her message in this fun evening.”
“Driving Literacy” is a full evening with gourmet strolling dinner and desserts as well as fine wine, craft beer and retro cocktails. Live and silent auctions enable guests to bid on more than 100 unique items and packages – vacations, tours, spa days and more. While the event’s signature fast and fun live auction will again close the evening, guests can keep an eye on their silent auctions throughout the evening, bid and pay for their won items on mobile devices with interactive bidding service Bidding Owl. (Kiosks will be available for those who want to be phone- and tablet-free for the evening.) A 1920s ‘Bidding Parlor’ will feature special items and jazz-era bidding with a paper and pencil!
Tickets for Driving Literacy are $110 and are on sale now. Reserved tables of eight are available for $760. Guests can purchase tickets…
§ Online at http://bit.ly/DrivingLit
§ By phone (734) 879 -1320
§ Via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About Driving Literacy
Driving Literacy (formerly known as World in a Basket) is Washtenaw Literacy's annual gala benefit auction. It takes place in late September or October every year. Twenty percent of Washtenaw Literacy’s annual budget is raised through the event, providing support to train hundreds of tutors and volunteers who serve more than 2,000 adults each year. Adults work toward individual goals; many of those include getting a GED and/or a place in the workforce. Remarkably, Washtenaw Literacy returns more than three dollars to the community for each dollar raised (Hantz, Rhoades & Doehrer, LLC, 2013).
Contact Amy Goodman at (734) 879-1320 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to volunteer.
