It's a little known fact among Canadians that Iceland's literacy rate is just about 100 per cent, and literature and poetry are legendary passions with the population. The country's per capita publication of books and magazines is the highest in the world.
Reading, for the Icelandic, is a national past time. And those fortunate enough to be raised in a country with such a priority on reading know how fulfilling it is to explore life through literature.
Unfortunately, Canada's literacy numbers tell a very different story. Not only are many among us unable to enjoy the feeling of escaping into a great book, some of your neighbours' safety is even threatened by their inability to read.
According to Statistics Canada, nearly 15 per cent of Canadians can't understand the writing on medicine labels such as on an Aspirin bottle, a failing that could seriously limit the ability of a parent, for example, to determine the dangers for a child.
An additional 27 per cent can't figure out basic information like the warnings on a hazardous materials sheet, the kinds of warning that set out workplace dangers such as risks to the eyes and skin.
And more than 40 per cent of Canadian adults have literacy skills below the level needed to succeed in today's society and economy.
These are staggering and tragic numbers that a simple act of caring could remedy.
That's why The Citizen is proud to once again help improve the lives of children who may be vulnerable to illiteracy by participating in the 10th annual Raise-a-Reader Day.
On this day, legions of volunteers - from Citizen staff to local well-known personalities to just everyday well-meaning people - are selling newspapers in the hopes of adding to the $17 million this initiative has raised since it began.
Nearly all proceeds of today's fundraising efforts stay in the community by going to local literacy programs.
The Citizen also supports Canspell, a national grassroots initiative designed to celebrate and reward literacy skills by encouraging academic excellence and positive study habits through school-level, regional and national spelling bees across the country.
But we can't do any of this without your help. By purchasing today's special edition of The Citizen, you have created hope for a child right here in Prince George who may be facing an uncertain future.
Success, enjoyment of life and freedom can be found through a love of reading. Thank you for helping improve the quality of life of Prince George's youth.
