Organization beginning annual event

To the Editor:

The new school year is underway and the Wabash Valley Council of the Indiana State Reading Association is beginning its annual membership drive.

This year promises to be exciting as the ISRA theme is "Live the Lincoln Legacy: READ!"

We celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth throughout this year into 2009 when on Feb. 12, we mark the 200th anniversary of his birth in Kentucky.

Lincoln spent his formative years, from 7-21, living right here in Indiana.

As a child, he understood the importance of learning to read to improve his future. We know today how extremely critical it is for students to read to be successful in life.

The Wabash Valley Council includes members in the following counties: Clay, Greene, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Owen and Vigo. Our organization sponsors and/or supports numerous literacy activities, including Catch 'em in the Cradle, Children's Library Resources at the Vigo County Public Library, Jumpstart's Read for the Record, Family Learning Day, ISU Homecoming parade, Literacy Fair, Kite Festival, etc.

Quoting Alice Fuller, Sugar Grove Elementary Principal and long-time member, "The Wabash Valley Council of the Indiana Reading Association promotes literacy in our schools and in our community in many ways.

We are fortunate to have such an active and hard-working group of dedicated professionals advocating for our students.

Through our membership and attendance at IRA events, we can show support and appreciation for this worthwhile organization."

Many members are teachers, but anyone interested in promoting and supporting reading is welcome.

The yearly membership is just $8 for educators and $6 for non-teachers.

To inquire about membership, contact any Vigo County school or call one of the membership directors: Janella Knierim at 462-4416 or Karen Long at 462-4418.

Please joins us as we "Live the Lincoln Legacy" and encourage everyone to learn to read and develop a love of reading!

Janella Knierim

and Karen Long,

Membership Co-Directors,

Wabash Valley Council,

Indiana State

Reading Association