READ! 365 is asking businesses and other organizations to Earn-the-Alphabet by supporting early literacy.

We'll award a specially designed alphabet to participating organizations, starting with the inaugural 2004-2005 year.

You’ll need to complete five initiatives. We’ll ask you to explain what you’ve done and discuss the results you achieved.

Example initiatives include:

• Plan and implement a program to get employees / members involved in the READ! 365 movement.
• Hold at least one Book Drive to gather new or gently used books to put in the hands of children. (Money donations are a welcome alternative; literacy organizations will purchase books on your behalf.)
• Include an insert in routine correspondence with customers or other audiences to remind them to READ! 365 to the children in their lives.
• Include a brief article in a customer newsletter, promoting childhood literacy and community support for this important cause. (We'll be glad to provide text.)
• Add the READ! 365 logo to selected advertising, brochures, flyers, or other materials.
• Display a countertop sign in a lobby or other public area, showing your support for READ! 365.
• Promote the READ! 365 message at a community event you sponsor: display a banner, distribute a flyer, imprint a T-shirt or other event item.
• Make a donation to a literacy organization in lieu of holiday gifts. Send a simple announcement, telling why you chose to do so.
• Other ideas welcome!

For more information, Get in Touch online or call 412-365-2034.