Local Marketing Agency Provides Nearly 200 Books to Norfolk Public Library
NORFOLK, Va. — Reed & Associates Marketing, Inc. (R&A), a Norfolk-based marketing, advertising and public relations agency, announces the collection of nearly 200 books for the Norfolk Public Library in honor of National Reading Awareness Month. 
Illiteracy affects over 757 million people worldwide and research shows it is directly linked to poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. To raise local awareness for this global issue, R&A launched multiple initiatives throughout the month of March. The organization held an internal book drive for the Norfolk Public Library, which exists to offer access to information, books, programs, and online resources to meet the needs of this diverse community for life-long learning. Additionally, the agency created a social media campaign that features team members sharing their favorite childhood stories, highlighting the importance of reading for a child’s development.
“Illiteracy has an astonishing impact across the world and here in our community,” said Gillian Luce, the public relations and social media manager at Reed & Associates Marketing. “Given the importance of securing a bright future for Hampton Roads’ youth, Reading Awareness Month was a perfect opportunity for us to bring this global crisis to the attention of our neighborhood and inspire others to take action.”
In addition to the social awareness and donation of books, members of the R&A team volunteered at Norfolk Collegiate School to read to kindergarteners on Friday, March 18, 2016. The opportunity allowed for public relations and social media experts, Gillian Luce and Isabelle Keegan, media think tank professional, Melissa Valdez and client services member, Allison Mantz, the chance to read their favorite books to over 30 children.
“Books are the backbone of learning and education that not every child has access to,” said Cleteus Smith, Head of the Lower School at Norfolk Collegiate. “Literacy is the key to a brighter future.”
Increasing the global literacy rate would boost global health, education, and economies around the world. You can make a difference by taking time to read aloud with a child in your life, volunteering, or donating books to a local library. Visit ReadAloud.org for more information.
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