Walk to READ

  sponsored by Tech Bookstore and supported by Starbucks

  A Fund Raiser for Peacework's International Literacy Programs
Walk 2.0 miles in support of education initiatives in 20 countries!

Make a Difference in our World Today!
Spread the Word!  LITERACY!

What:  The Tech Bookstore Walk to READ:  A Fund Raiser for Peacework’s International Literacy and Education Programs

Why:  Walk to increase global literacy by raising money for Peacework's international education programs (www.peacework.org). Funds raised will support costs of Peacework projects in 20 countries with developing economies.  Local walkers will help raise money for literacy and educational programs for children, youth, and women.  Projects address needs identified by the village or community and are implemented collaboratively by U.S. volunteers groups and host site community members.  Projects range from youth after-school and summer reading camps, teacher training, tutoring, and library and curricula development to the provision of technology to enhance educational opportunities, bilingual instructional materials, new curricula, and take home books, to starting a library and renovation and construction of schools. 

WALK for fun, fitness, fresh air, and to support GLOBAL LITERACY!

How: Walk 2.0 miles in support of literacy initiatives in 20 countries! Pet and family-friendly walk along the scenic Huckleberry Trail.  Strollers welcome.  Please no bicycles.  Participants should feel free to don costumes representing favorite book characters!

When & Where: Sunday, April 11, 2010
•2:00-3:00 pm:  Registration (lot behind Starbucks next to Kent Square Parking Garage at the corner of Lee and Draper streets.)  Join in the party atmosphere during the Walk registration.

•3:00 pm:  Walk Kick Off (Starting line will be on Lee Street next to Tech Bookstore.  Participants will cross Draper St. to Washington St. and walk toward the Blacksburg Library.  Stop at the Library Welcome Center for special activities!  Walkers will walk on the scenic Huckleberry Trail, turn around at the Gazebo, and walk back to the finish line for a total of 2 miles.  Take your time and check out the fun reading activities for kids along the route.  (Participants should feel to free to identify their own turn-around point to make the walking time shorter, if desired!)  Return to the finish line anytime and join the post-Walk party!

•3:30-5:00 pm:  Post-Walk Rally (Starbucks parking lot next to Kent Square Parking Garage) 

        Free parking in Kent Square Garage.

Who:  Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your dog, and join Peacework volunteers, college students, community members, and costumed book characters in support of Peacework’s global education programs!  Walk to READ is a simple but incredibly powerful way for you to share in the hope for the future of our world!

What you could bring:
•Donations solicited to support Peacework global projects (all checks should be made out to Peacework)
•A gently used or new high quality children’s book for international and local literacy programs
•Friends, family, co-workers
•Your leashed pet (be sure to clean up after your pet!)
•Money for the Tech Bookstore DOLLAR Book Sale.  50% of sale proceeds benefit Peacework!
•Walking shoes
•Clothing for inclement weather.  Walk takes place rain or shine!

Cost:  Registration fee for participants is $10/person, $5/child (ages 10 & under), and $5/dog.  Please consider soliciting donations to support Peacework’s global literacy initiatives.  Pledge/sponsorship forms available on this site.   All registered walkers receive a bandana and copy of Turn up the Wick, Frank Beamer’s Autobiography.  All registered walkers eligible for awesome door prizes!

Reading Fun for Kids
Children can enjoy storytimes with special readers and participate in hands-on literacy crafts, games and activities along the trail and at the post-Walk Rally!  Paper hat folding with Tom Angleberger, author of the new book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, will take place from 2-3 pm. Take a break at the Blacksburg Public Library Walk Welcome Center for reading activities galore!   

A FUNdraiser!
Don’t miss the post-Walk party!  Cool door prizes!  Music provided by DJ Earl Brown with Dynamic Sound! Refreshments provided by Starbucks, Rita’s, Subway, Awful Arthur’s and Annie Kay’s!  Juggling by Tom Angleberger!  Learn more about Peacework and other organizations’ international initiatives!  Check out Tech Bookstore’s DOLLAR Booksale (50% of book sales go to Peacework!) 

How You Can Help

•Recruit friends, family and co-workers to join us on the Walk to Read! 

•Collect donations.  Use the pledge form on this site to ask friends, family and co-workers to support your 2.0 mile Walk for literacy programs in 20 countries.   Set a fund raising goal and solicit sponsorships.  Make your donation on this site , bring your money to the event, or mail donations to Peacework, 209 Otey Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

•Support international and local literacy programs by donating a good quality new or gently used children’s book.  Book collection boxes will be located at Starbucks (stores throughout the NRV) throughout March and April and at the event.

Can't walk or attend? Join the "No Excuse" Virtual Walk
Be a virtual walker!  This is a great option for those who are unable to attend this event, but who want to support global literacy initiatives.  Make a monetary contribution and/or solicit donations for your "virtual walk," make your donation on line, and do your part to promote literacy worldwide.  Simply follow the online donation link and enter your donation amount, and don't worry about coming to the event site to walk!

Sponsors:
In gratitude to our event sponsor, Tech Bookstore, for the generous contributions of Starbucks, Dynamic Sound, and the Blacksburg Public Library and to our other community donors:

The Town of Blacksburg
Cranwell International Center
Council of International Student Organizations
Pointe West Management Co.
Kroger
Holiday Inn University & Collegiate Inn of Blacksburg
Wal-Mart
Bud Foster’s Restaurant
Hilton Garden Inn
Candy Bar Guy
Volume II Bookstore
A-1 Copies
VT Marketing Department
Runabout Sports
Inkspot
The Weight Club
UPG Aquatic/Tetra
Awful Arthur's Seafood Co.
Imaginations Toy & Furniture Company
Annie Kay's Whole Foods
On a Whim
Rita's
Subway
Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill
Kopy Korner
Professional Catering
Salad Creations
Blacksburg United Methodist Church
Pocohantas Press
Smithfield Plantation
Blacksburg New School
A Cleaner World 
And many thanks to our generous local authors and community volunteers! 

Directions to start of Walk to Read:

Walk to READ will take place in downtown Blacksburg.  Take advantage of the convenience of the Kent Square Parking Garage.   Coming from Christiansburg, turn left off of Main Street on to Washington Street, and make your next right onto Washington Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right.   Walk to READ will kick off in the Starbucks parking lot between the garage and Lee Street.

Click here for our full registration packet.

Contact linda@peacework.org for questions related to Walk to READ.