Literally Reading

If you work downtown you were probably approached by at least twenty people yesterday morning asking you if you wanted to "raise a reader." This was CanWest's very successful attempt to raise money for literacy programs throughout Canada. Since 1997 the campaign has raised $1.6 million.

I saw them last year in full force and this year CanWest had volunteers out in even fuller force; between them, the Metro and 24 Hours people and the commuters huddled under the awnings, Granville Street was packed as if a tickertape parade was on its way.

All the volunteers were remarkably jolly considering the rain was torrential. But, was it me or was there something insincere about the campaign? Surely it had something to do with the fact that The Vancouver Sun sucks but the lump in my chest really formed when I passed a homeless person sleeping in the rain, covered head to toe in sopping cardboard, at the feet of a bunch of canvassers. The lump got bigger when I went to run an errand later that morning and saw the heaps of Vancouver Suns lying in both the rain and in doorways. I really wish I had had my camera with me so you could see how sad the disintegrating foolscap looked.

On October 1 there's another literacy fundraiser. This one will be held at the Vancouver Art Gallery and all proceeds go to Room to Read, a program that works in developing countries to promote education. Since 2000 they've built 115 schools, established 1,780 libraries, 47 computer labs and 17 language labs. They've also funded over 1,275 long-term scholarships for girls.

The VAG will be hosting Tekst 2005: the art of change. It's going to be an evening "that celebrates the richness of our local community while investing in children's education globally."

The entertainment will be provided by Isabelle Dunlop (designer), Jonna Milledge (artist/poet), CR Avery (artist/poet), Dunce the Wizard (artist/poet), Joseph Ramia and Douglas Hanna (percussionists) and Phreeagent.

Admission is a $20 suggested donation.