This is an updated version of the editorial that appeared in the Citizen on Sept. 20, 2012:
As the dawn breaks brisk and cold, they come out in their bright orange T-shirts, newspapers in hand.
Wednesday is Raise-A-Reader Day in Prince George to raise money for literacy projects in the area, thanks to the generosity of residents who donate at various locations in the city after receiving a complimentary copy of the Citizen.
To say the Citizen is proud of our ongoing commitment to Raise A Reader is an understatement. The focus of this national campaign is to draw attention to the importance of literacy, particularly among young people. The money raised in Prince George on Wednesday will all stay in the community to support efforts by various agencies to improve literacy rates.
Being able to read and write makes the world a better place in so many ways.
There is a direct correlation between literacy rates and crime rates. The higher a community's literacy rate, the lower its crime rate and vice versa - the larger the portion of the population that can't read and/or write, the higher the crime rate.
Literacy means better pay over an entire working career, better health over a lifetime, more engagement in the community, greater tolerance of racial, religious and ethnic differences, higher voter turnout at elections and a greater focus on formal education and ongoing, lifelong learning.
Schools, colleges and universities all make valuable contributions in this area but funds from Raise A Reader in Prince George have helped support literacy projects in public libraries, at the Northern B.C. YMCA and with groups like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
On Raise A Reader mornings, the generosity of residents is on full display.
Many give $5, $10, even $20 in donations.
Others are apologetic while handing over handfuls of change stowed in various nooks and crannies of their vehicle, some of those handfuls equaling or exceeding the value of donations made with bills.
Most of the contributors see the volunteers in the orange shirts, realize it's Raise A Reader day again, and have their money ready by the time they are approached.
For some people, clearly used to waiting in long lineups during the morning rush for a needed caffeine injection, rolling down the window and chatting with someone, donating some change and getting a free paper is a nice start to the day.
Particularly gratifying for The Citizen staff that took part were the comments that they had read the paper already, either in paper or digital form, but were happy to make a donation anyway to help literacy work in Prince George.
And then there are the volunteers, too many to mention this year, from the Prince George Public Library, the Prince George Spruce Kings, the Native Friendship Centre, the Council of Seniors, Integris Credit Union, B.C. Ambulance, Telus and the Nechako Rotary Club, along with the various civic leaders.
Thank you, Prince George, for your generous donations, big and small, today to Raise A Reader.
We couldn't do it with you. Improving literacy, particularly among young people, is an incredible investment in the community's future.
