Celebration of Reading
Friday, February 17, 2012
Hyatt Regency Coconut Pointe Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs
The 12th Annual Celebration of Reading – Save the Date!
The annual Celebration of Reading extravaganza will be held Friday, February 17, 2012 in beautiful Bonita Springs, Florida. The star-studded gala supports the nonprofit Volunteer USA Foundation and its passion to promote reading and lifelong learning through exceptional family literacy and mentoring programs. Our programs help parents and children discover the joy of reading, together.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, again will serve as hosts of the Celebration of Reading. The popular event has raised more than $14 million for family literacy academies in the southeast. Governor Bush’s parents – former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush – are regular special guests.
You’ll enjoy an evening of cocktails, a gourmet surf & turf dinner, readings from best-selling authors, and author book signings following the evening program. Our best-selling authors for 2012 include Jeff Kinney, a #1 New York Times children’s bestselling author well known for his Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and Randall Wallace, an American screenwriter, director, producer, and songwriter, who came to prominence by writing the screenplay for the 1995 film Braveheart and director of Secretariat; plus Greg Kincaid, author of the New York Times best-selling novel, A Dog Named Christmas.
Other exclusive Celebration events that day include an invitation-only luncheon prepared by Celebrity Chef and Author Art Smith; a family literacy policy forum featuring Jeb Bush and distinguished panel members; and a special Children’s Breakfast with Florida First Lady Ann Scott and author Jeff Kinney. The two will recognize local student winners of a story writing contest. See the Calendar of Events page for more details.
Special thanks to our Celebration host committee:
Statewide Honorary Host Committee for Celebration of Reading
Jeb Bush, Honorary Chair
Honorary Committee:
Carol Jenkins Barnett, Chairman and President of Publix Super Markets Charities
Romero Britto, International Pop Artist & Artistic Activist
Sandra and Jeb Bush Jr., Spokespersons for the Family Literacy Initiative
Tim Gage, Senior Vice President of Comcast
Senator Mike and Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Florida Senate President, Education Advocates
Peter Jacobsen, PGA Tour Professional
Congressmen Connie and Mary Mack IV, Public Servants and Literacy Champions
Brad and Cori Meltzer, Best-Selling Author and Champions for Literacy
Kathleen Shanahan, State Board of Education
Art Smith, Award-Winning Chef & Philanthropist
Representative Will Weatherford, Incoming Florida House Speaker, Education Reformer
Celebration Hosts:
Tom & Ann Grady, Co-Chairs
Fred & Stephanie Pezeshkan, Co-Chairs
Samira K. Beckwith & Jim Sievers
Tom & Cheri Flood
Alan Florez
The Honorable Dudley & Barbara Goodlette
Laird A. & Laurie D. Lile
Anita Mitchell
Senator Garrett & Diana Richter
Raquel A. “Rocky” Rodriguez, Esq.
Jim Towey
CONTACT US
For program or sponsor information contact:
Liza McFadden
President
Volunteer USA Foundation
850.562.5300
For Celebration of Reading Sponsor and Ticket Sales Information Contact:
Tina Matte
Gravina Smith & Matte
239.275.5758
Celebration of Reading – bringing the joy of literacy to families.
