Community News

The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County (LCOC), is hosting a free literacy event, “Build a Better World,” from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Oct. 21, at Michael A. Maroun Elementary School, 11 Elm Street, Phoenix, it was announced by Carri Waloven and Dawn Myers, event co-chairs.

“This is our seventh annual event stimulating children and families to become more avid readers,” Waloven said. “We are excited to have another great year with local authors, literacy activities, an art exhibit and free books!

Families will be entertained by featured guest, G&G Animals, who will give visitors a chance to see exotic animals up close. Among these are lizards, turtles, snakes, prairie dogs, and more.” G&G’s appearance is sponsored by the Center for Career & Community Education (CCCE), at Cayuga Community College.

According to their website (gandganimals.com): “G&G Animals, established by Danny Oostdyk, is a USDA Licensed Zoo that is set up for education and rescue. “ The facility continuously receives injured or abandoned animals that are in need of a safe home. Oostdyk is a Class II RVS Wildlife Rehabilitationist. He does not merely offer assistance to injured animals; he also trains a group of interns to help with their care.

One of the authors scheduled to appear is Joe Abbate, a SUNY Oswego alum who beat cancer, and has published books such as “Number 306” and “God’s Only Mistake, Becoming a Man in My Fathers Eyes”. Author of the Dimension Lapse Series and many others, Nicholas T. Davis will also make an appearance.

Other authors who are scheduled to attend “Build A Better World” include Benjamin Kellogg, Liana Mahoney, and Aline Newman. Kellogg created the “Noah and Logan” series as a way to help children with autism spectrum disorder and social/life skills that he struggled to master as a child. Naturalist Mahoney is the author of book, “Forest Green” and a collection of children’s poetry. Newman, a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the American Society of Journalists and Authors has been writing for National Geographic Kids magazine for almost 20 years. An animal lover, she has published chapter books like “Ape Escapes” and “Animal Superstars” which have received many awards.

“The goal of The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is to inspire our community to encourage literacy in a collaborative, inclusive and comprehensive manner,” said Mike Egan, coalition chairperson. “The Coalition is dedicated to supporting and expanding literacy services so that people can work, the economy can grow, families can thrive, and our community can prosper.”

The LCOC is a growing coalition of more than 42 local organizations. These organizations work together to address the literacy needs for people of all ages.

Members of the LCOC Leadership Council include: Alliance Bank; ARISE; Assembly members from the 115th, 122nd, 124th, and 128th District; Cayuga Community College; Steve Chirello Advertising, City of Fulton; City of Oswego; Constellation Energy; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County; Eastern Shore Associates; Entergy Nuclear Northeast; Fulton Savings Bank; Fulton City School District; Fulton Family YMCA; Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Hannibal Central School District; Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County; and Central Southern Tier Regional Adult Education Network.

Other Leadership Council supporters include: National Grid; NYS Education Department; NYS Sen. Patty Ritchie, 48th District; Oswego City School District; Oswego County Administrator Phil Church; Oswego County Center for Instruction, Technology, and Innovation, (CiTi); Oswego County Department of Social Services; Oswego County Federal Credit Union; Oswego County Legislature; Oswego County Opportunities; Oswego County Workforce Development Board; Oswego County Family Court Judge Kimberly Seager; Oswego Health; Fulton Public Library; Oswego Public Library; Oswego YMCA; Pathfinder Bank; State University of New York at Oswego; The John Ben Snow Foundation; The Palladium Times; United Way of Greater Oswego County; and the Wes Hyde Foundation.

In Oswego County, close to 17,000 adults cannot read above a fifth grade reading level. With the help of The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, adults get the assistance they need to develop their basic literacy skills.

For more information about The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, visit www.oswegocounty.com and click on the literacy coalition link, or find them on Facebook.