Toronto, ON — On Tuesday, January 27, families and communities across Canada will celebrate Family Literacy Day (FLD), a national initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, which promotes the importance of reading and learning as a family. Every year, since its inception in 1999, literacy organizations, schools and libraries have coordinated literacy-themed events to celebrate this special day.

“The practice of family literacy is important for people of all ages,” explains Christine Featherstone, president of ABC CANADA. “In addition to providing a solid foundation for future readers, family literacy helps maintain a high level of literacy well into the golden years. Family Literacy Day serves as a reminder to spend time learning together.”

To help promote Family Literacy Day, ABC CANADA relies on an extended group of supporters - and every year the list of supporters continues to grow. This year, FLD is being promoted through the distribution of close to one million promotional materials by literacy organizations, schools and libraries, and special ads will run in numerous magazines and newspapers, and on high-traffic Web sites. TV, radio, and outdoor advertising has been secured, ensuring the literacy and learning messages will reach millions of Canadian families.

Over its six-year history, this initiative has also seen its share of corporate support. For several years, retailers like Basics Office Products and Indigo, Chapters and Coles have distributed promotional materials in their stores across Canada. This year, Credit Union Central of Canada also agreed to distribute FLD materials in its branches and featured information on Family Literacy Day in its 2004 calendar. And, since its inception, Family Literacy Day has been supported financially by Honda Canada.

“As a leader in the automotive industry, Honda Canada has an important role to play in giving back to the communities in which we do business,” says Jim Miller, senior vp, corporate affairs at Honda Canada. “We are strongly committed to the literacy cause and have been supporting ABC CANADA’s family literacy initiatives since 1999. We are extremely proud of our participation in Family Literacy Day, and look forward to continuing to contribute to its success.”

Families do not have to participate in a formal event to be a part of this initiative, they can simply set aside 15 minutes of family time to read with their children, play a board game, write a letter or even follow a recipe together. However, if families are looking for organized events, there are plenty to be found. Family Literacy Day features hundreds of activities organized by family literacy organizations, schools, libraries and local sponsors in communities across Canada. These events include:

• A local library in Vancouver, British Columbia is playing host to Breakfast of Champions. Participants are invited to listen to guest speakers who will discuss the importance of literacy and numeracy, while being treated to breakfast;
• Munsch-a-thon, featuring readings from the books of Robert Munsch (the 2004 FLD Honorary Chair), as well as videos and other activities, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan;
• A Harry Potter theme party in Quebec City, Quebec. The day will feature a story reading, face painting and various other learning activities;
• Fairytale Extravaganza! This family reading night taking place in Brampton, Ontario will feature guest readers, storytellings and a fairytale museum;
• A workshop for parents to help improve family reading skills and to provide tips for parents who want to help their children learn to read, in Bathurst, New Brunswick;
• Loafin’ at the Library, a sleepover party at the local library including games and storytellings, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Featherstone attributes the growing success of Family Literacy Day in part to the continued participation of Honorary Celebrity Chair, and bestselling children’s author, Robert Munsch. “Robert has been an excellent addition to Family Literacy Day. He’s very enthusiastic and a big supporter of the literacy cause. His involvement has helped draw attention to the importance of learning as a family.”

In addition to hosting a special storytelling in Toronto in honour of Family Literacy Day, Munsch also appears in a new television Public Service Announcement (PSA) aimed at encouraging kids to promote family literacy in their home. This new PSA, along with another one aimed at parents, started airing on stations across Canada in early January. Munsch has also lent his name to, and provided support for, other Family Literacy Day public relations and marketing initiatives.