Literacy Heroes

For the third consecutive year, West Chester Public Library teamed up with Verizon and several other prestigious corporate sponsors to host the annual Literacy Heroes Breakfast. This year, a record-breaking 106 nominations were submitted in response to a community-wide Call for Nominations. Event sponsors had the difficult task of reviewing nominations and selecting just one winner per category.

Names of the 2008 winners were announced during a motivational awards breakfast on Friday, April 18. Award winners include:
Adult Literacy Hero – Karen Lewis and her therapy dog, Charlie
Community Impact – The Chester County OIC
Corporate Good Neighbor Hero – The Chester County Book and Music Company
Education Hero – Loretta Perna
Local Author Hero – Bruce Mowday
Medical/Health Literacy Hero – Community Volunteers in Medicine
Technology/Innovation Hero – Dr. June Garwin, WCASD
Youth Literacy Hero – Anne Hawkins, La Entrada Project

In addition to a record-breaking number of nominations, the event also drew record crowds, with a standing-room-only audience of 230 guests congregating in the ballroom of Longwood Gardens. Guests were inspired not only by the stories of the literacy heroes themselves, but also by the comments shared by the event’s Master of Ceremonies, Nydia Han, a consumer reporter for 6abc Action News. Mr. H.L. Perry Pepper, President and CEO of The Chester County Hospital served as the event’s Honorary Chairman.

William B. Petersen, President of Verizon – PA, commented, “I want to thank the West Chester Public Library for offering us the opportunity to, once again, serve as the Title Sponsor and to provide a chance, through our sponsorship, to enhance the Library's programs and services for the West Chester community. In the hectic pace of today's world, it is exciting to begin the day surrounded by many remarkable people -- our honorees -- our literacy champions! We applaud their leadership, dedication and passion to help unlock the promise of literacy for others in need in the community.”

When asked about why West Chester Public Library decided to embark upon an event like the Literacy Heroes Breakfast, Board President Howard Sundwall commented, “The concept for this wonderful event grew out of a desire to develop a first-class function that recognizes local literacy advocates and closely relates to the library’s mission – one that celebrates an individual’s pursuit of knowledge and the role that local libraries play in fulfilling that goal. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with our library in any way – they simply have to care deeply about the cause of literacy and have engaged in some activity to help promote and nurture it in our community.”

The morning was filled with surprises, including a guest appearance by a friendly, furry, four-legged friend named “Charlie.” This specially-trained therapy dog was recognized with his handler, Karen Lewis, for their efforts to assist children who have difficulty reading. Since the advent of the canine, “Read to Me Program,” countless children have overcome their fear of reading, especially reading out loud.

The celebratory breakfast was filled with emotional moments as guests had an opportunity to learn about each of the eight winners through professionally-produced video vignettes that were prepared compliments of Comcast. Guests also enjoyed a surprise visit by several members of the American Girl Book Club, a local youth group that meets regularly at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Exton, PA.

A number of corporations rallied around the event and served as event sponsors. West Chester Public Library and Verizon served as title sponsors for the event. Other supporters included Comcast, The Hankin Group, QVC, Endo Pharmaceuticals, The Chester County Hospital, CTDI, Sweet Peas, Visual Technology, Longwood Gardens, PDP Design, Reino’s Print and Copy Center, 123-Awards, West Chester University, West Chester LLC, 6abc Action News, Buckley Brion, LLC, First National Bank of Chester County, Citadel, National Penn Bank, etc.

“All in all, it was an incredible morning,” said Sundwall. “I can’t think of a more uplifting way to celebrate National Library Week than this. It’s an honor to be here and recognize such exceptional individuals – they challenge, motivate, and inspire.”


		"We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading." ~ B. F. Skinner ~
		Third Annual Literacy Heroes Breakfast Recognizes Hometown Heroes Eight Awards Distributed During Record-Breaking Year For the third consecutive year, West Chester Public Library teamed up with Verizon and several other prestigious corporate sponsors to host the annual Literacy Heroes Breakfast. This year, a record-breaking 106 nominations were submitted in response to a community-wide Call for Nominations. Event sponsors had the difficult task of reviewing nominations and selecting just one winner per category. Names of the 2008 winners were announced during a motivational awards breakfast on Friday, April 18. Award winners include: Adult Literacy Hero – Karen Lewis and her therapy dog, Charlie Community Impact – The Chester County OIC Corporate Good Neighbor Hero – The Chester County Book and Music Company Education Hero – Loretta Perna Local Author Hero – Bruce Mowday Medical/Health Literacy Hero – Community Volunteers in Medicine Technology/Innovation Hero – Dr. June Garwin, WCASD Youth Literacy Hero – Anne Hawkins, La Entrada Project In addition to a record-breaking number of nominations, the event also drew record crowds, with a standing-room-only audience of 230 guests congregating in the ballroom of Longwood Gardens. Guests were inspired not only by the stories of the literacy heroes themselves, but also by the comments shared by the event’s Master of Ceremonies, Nydia Han, a consumer reporter for 6abc Action News. Mr. H.L. Perry Pepper, President and CEO of The Chester County Hospital served as the event’s Honorary Chairman. William B. Petersen, President of Verizon – PA, commented, “I want to thank the West Chester Public Library for offering us the opportunity to, once again, serve as the Title Sponsor and to provide a chance, through our sponsorship, to enhance the Library's programs and services for the West Chester community. In the hectic pace of today's world, it is exciting to begin the day surrounded by many remarkable people -- our honorees -- our literacy champions! We applaud their leadership, dedication and passion to help unlock the promise of literacy for others in need in the community.” When asked about why West Chester Public Library decided to embark upon an event like the Literacy Heroes Breakfast, Board President Howard Sundwall commented, “The concept for this wonderful event grew out of a desire to develop a first-class function that recognizes local literacy advocates and closely relates to the library’s mission – one that celebrates an individual’s pursuit of knowledge and the role that local libraries play in fulfilling that goal. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with our library in any way – they simply have to care deeply about the cause of literacy and have engaged in some activity to help promote and nurture it in our community.” The morning was filled with surprises, including a guest appearance by a friendly, furry, four-legged friend named “Charlie.” This specially-trained therapy dog was recognized with his handler, Karen Lewis, for their efforts to assist children who have difficulty reading. Since the advent of the canine, “Read to Me Program,” countless children have overcome their fear of reading, especially reading out loud. The celebratory breakfast was filled with emotional moments as guests had an opportunity to learn about each of the eight winners through professionally-produced video vignettes that were prepared compliments of Comcast. Guests also enjoyed a surprise visit by several members of the American Girl Book Club, a local youth group that meets regularly at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Exton, PA. A number of corporations rallied around the event and served as event sponsors. West Chester Public Library and Verizon served as title sponsors for the event. Other supporters included Comcast, The Hankin Group, QVC, Endo Pharmaceuticals, The Chester County Hospital, CTDI, Sweet Peas, Visual Technology, Longwood Gardens, PDP Design, Reino’s Print and Copy Center, 123-Awards, West Chester University, West Chester LLC, 6abc Action News, Buckley Brion, LLC, First National Bank of Chester County, Citadel, National Penn Bank, etc. “All in all, it was an incredible morning,” said Sundwall. “I can’t think of a more uplifting way to celebrate National Library Week than this. It’s an honor to be here and recognize such exceptional individuals – they challenge, motivate, and inspire.”