LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas) will host “Toast to Literacy,” its largest fundraiser of the year on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at historic Union Station (400 S. Houston) in downtown Dallas.
New York Times bestselling author, Kathleen Kent (The Heretic’s Daughter, The Traitor’s Wife) and Dallas real estate executive, CC Allen, are co-chairs of the event. Honorary Chair, author Matt Bondurant (The Wettest County in the World, The Night Swimmer), wrote the screenplay for the film “Lawless” and is the keynote speaker.
Fox Sports Southwest anchor, Dana Lawson, will serve as mistress of ceremony. Among her duties is to interview award-winning Dallas interior designer, Margaret Chambers, about her lifelong struggle with dyslexia and her journey to literacy as a LIFT student.
“Toast to Literacy” will feature a seated dinner, live auction and raffle prizes. The live auction features a custom made Brioni suit from Neiman Marcus Menswear, a week at the St. Regis Residences in Aspen, the Ultimate 5-Star Dallas Staycation featuring exciting Dallas destinations and cultural activities, and the chance to become immortalized as a character in Kathleen Kent’s new novel. Raffle baskets include the Mind Body Soul package, a 2014 Vespa, and The Joy of (NOT) Cooking featuring gift certificates to more than 30 Dallas restaurants.
Underwriting co-chairs, Joyce and Charles Collie along with Table Sales co-chairs, Margot and Fred Savelsburg announce Presenting Sponsor Baylor Scott & White Healthcare and major underwriters m.Pulse Modern Skincare, Texas Capital Bank, Prophet Equity, Alliance Data, The Dallas Morning News, BDO USA LLP, Kara and Peter Gehan, Chapman Hext & Co., Doctors Reporting Service of Texas, Eligibility Consultants, Inc, Diversified Healthcare Services, Inc, Diversified Healthcare Affiliates, Inc. Henry S. Miller Companies, Sara and Gary Ahr, Half Price Books, Matthews Southwest, CC Allen, Don and Norma Stone, and Jeff and Kathy Sangalis.
Other sponsors include Bank of America, DeLene Gilbert, Steve and Denise Richardson/Crestline, BB&T Branch Banking & Trust, Capitol One Bank, Holland & Knight, PNC Credit Bank, Jackson Walker, Bryan Cave LLP, Sharon and Marvin King/Terri Chepregi, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Omni Hotels, and Regions.
“Illiteracy is the root of many of the social ills affecting our community, including poverty. With one in five adults in Dallas County unable to read at a functional level, we know that Dallas has a big word problem,” said Lisa Hembry, president and CEO of LIFT. That means there are more than 650,000 very low literate persons in Dallas County who cannot find living wage employment, cannot help their children with homework, and cannot read their prescriptions or manage daily activities and tasks…and that number is growing. By 2030, that number will be close to one million if we don’t reverse the trend.”
All proceeds from the event benefit LIFT literacy programs and its Bend the Trend capacity campaign. For sponsorship or ticket information, visit www.lift-texas.org or call Robbie Esteban at 214-824-2000 x 3208.
Established in 1961, LIFT continues to enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. Our Adult Basic Literacy, GED Preparation, English as a Second Language and Family Literacy programs serve thousands each year through the dedication of more than 350 trained volunteers. LIFT partners with 17 non-profit and civic organizations in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties to offer classes where adult learners live, work and worship. LIFT is headquartered in the Opportunity Center, located at I-30 East and Malcolm X Boulevard, a collective impact campus that brings together LIFT, CitySquare and Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas to offer wraparound services ensuring permanent routes out of poverty for thousands of families in Dallas.