Sigma Tau Delta to Host Read-a-Thon to Raise Money for Literature

Written by Sarah Whetstone

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Feb. 18, 2008
CONTACT: Sarah Whetstone, sarah.whetstone@ttu.edu
(806) 742-2136 ext. 226

Sigma Tau Delta to Host Read-a-Thon to Raise Money for Literature

The English department honor’s society, Sigma Tau Delta (SigTD), is inviting Lubbockites to read around the clock to support literacy and the new Lubbock Hispanic Cultural Arts Center.

Twenty-four hours of straight reading will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 22) and end at 3 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 23). SigTD will hold the read-a-thon at the Lubbock Hispanic Cultural Arts Center (HCAC), on the corner of 3rd Street and University Avenue. The read-a-thon, which is conducted much like a cancer walk, will be broken up into 10 minute intervals in which people, over the span of one day, will read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—the last book in J.K. Rowlings’ series.

"We want this to be a fun event for everyone," Deidra Dallas, Sigma Tau Delta president said. "While at the same time we are donating our time to a good cause."

To enter the read-a-thon, participants should seek out a sponsor to donate money each time they read, similar to sponsors who donate to a cancer walk for every lap. This event is not limited to students. Children and adults are welcome to read and all those who participate are invited to dress in Harry Potter attire.

"Although you don’t have to have a sponsor to read, we encourage everyone to try to find one," Dallas said. "Sponsors can be anyone from a parent to a teacher or someone who simply is as excited about literature and literacy as we are. We suggest that readers ask sponsors for a simple donation, something like $1 for every minute you read."

For those who would like to participate, but chose not to read, Sigma Tau Delta also will hold a literary discussion session in which they will talk about the positive impacts J.K. Rowlings’ books have generated for literacy, and discuss ideas on how to improve literacy among people in Lubbock.

"Last year we had about 100 people participate," Dallas said. "This year we want to involve a lot more people."

The money raised will be used to help the Lubbock HCAC improve the condition of its building and "to whatever other endeavors the members see fit involving literacy," Dallas said.

Sigma Tau Delta will provide snack foods for participants; however, Dallas suggests that readers who plan on staying a while eat a good meal before coming to the read-a-thon.

"We encourage everyone to eat meals at the fast food restaurants Burger King, KFC and Weinerschnitzel who are sponsoring the event and are next door to the HCAC," Dallas said.

For more information about the read-a-thon or the HCAC, email Deidra Dallas at deidra.dallas@ttu.edu or visit www.english.ttu.edu/SigDT

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CONTACT: Deidra Dallas, President, Sigma Tau Delta, deidra.dallas@ttu.edu