Canwest Raise-A-Reader Day: Wednesday, September 23
Improving literacy for just the price of a newspaper
WINNIPEG–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Tomorrow morning, thousands of volunteers will flood Canadian street corners, bus stops and coffee shops in support of Canwest Raise-a-Reader Day, raising money for local literacy programs and increasing awareness about the importance of encouraging family literacy.
In 27 cities from coast-to-coast Canadians are asked to give generously in support of this meaningful initiative. Since its inception in 2002, Raise-a-Reader has generated over $13 million dollars in support of family literacy programs. Canwest, Global Television and the participating newspapers provide the time and resources to fulfill the national campaign – meaning every dollar donated on Raise-a-Reader Day will be used to support literacy beneficiaries in the communities where the funds are raised.
“Canwest Raise-a-Reader has proven an enormously successful campaign not only by raising money for literacy programs, but also by educating Canadians about literacy issues in their communities,” said Leonard Asper, President and CEO of Canwest Global Communications Corp. “Improving our national literacy levels has a positive impact on the Canadian economy and on the job prospects and well-being of our citizens.”
In addition to funds raised on Raise-a-Reader Day, the Canwest Raise-a-Reader Concert Series sets the stage for year-round awareness as participating artists donate a portion of proceeds from ticket sales on their Canadian tours. Financial support also comes from the new presenting sponsor of the Concert Series, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.
The latest musical artist to support to the Raise-a-Reader Concert Series by donating partial proceeds of her concert ticket sales is Calgary singer/songwriter sensation Jann Arden. In November, Arden will begin a 30-plus concert tour to promote her latest album, Free.
The Concert Series was launched in 2007, when international singing sensation Michael Bublé announced his involvement as the first performer to lend his voice to the literacy cause. The series has a growing set-list of participating artists that includes Anne Murray, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Sam Roberts, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings and now, Jann Arden.
Canwest Raise-a-Reader receives additional funding from national sponsors Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and 7-Eleven Canada Inc. Numerous local sponsors in markets across the country also contribute to the program with funding and goods-in-kind services.
About Canwest Global Communications Corp.
Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com), (TSX: CGS and CGS.A,) an international media company, is Canada’s largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network, Canwest is Canada’s largest publisher of English language paid daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, and web sites in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The following newspapers, in 26* communities from coast-to-coast, will be taking part in Canwest Raise-a-Reader Day on Wednesday, September 23rd:
Vancouver Island
BC Mainland
Victoria
Vancouver
Port Alberni
Kelowna
Nanaimo
Penticton
Ucluelet
Prince George
Kamloops
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Calgary
Regina
Edmonton
Saskatoon
Lethbridge
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Ontario
Quebec
Windsor
Montreal
Hamilton
Toronto
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland
Halifax
St. John’s
Sydney
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Saint John
Charlottetown
Moncton
Summerside
Fredericton
* Ottawa held its Raise-a-Reader Day on Wed., September 16
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