Family fun takes a turn toward literacy at Bookmarked! 2014, a free one-day celebration of reading hosted by the Lucy Daniels Center set for this Saturday, April 12.
The Lucy Daniels Center, located in Cary, is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health services in the Triangle region exclusively for children from birth to 12 years old. Its mission is to change children from the inside out, by teaching them how to live emotionally healthy lives.
This year marks the fifth year of the Bookmarked! event, which also features games, face painting and fun giveaways.
“We are very excited about the outcome of this year’s event because it is the first time we’ve collaborated with other nonprofits in the area,” said Clarenda Stanley-Anderson, director of development and communications at the Lucy Daniels Center. “Though our missions differ, we all have the same goal — to better the lives of others.”
Each year, Bookmarked! also honors public servants as local celebrity-heroes and invites them to read to children.
This year's honorees include ballerinas from the Cary Ballet Conservatory; Durham firefighter Isa Garci; host of WRAL’s Smart Start Kids Willa Brigham; Dionne Everett of the Wake County Sheriff’s Department; and Ronald McDonald.
They will read selections from Lucy’s Book Club that promote healthy social and emotional development and early reading skills.
Other entertainment includes Happy Dan the Magic Man, the Cary Elementary Choir, and Cary High School Jazz Band.
All proceeds from Bookmarked! will be split between the Lucy Daniels Center, Cary Creative (Reuse) Center, and Dorcas Ministries.
The event will take place at the Cary Performance Green, at the corner of Academy Street and Kildaire Farm Road, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers are also needed for the celebration, such as being a page-turner or helping with activity tables and information booths.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of the services we provide until they need them. So we hope Bookmarked! 2014 will draw the right attention to our cause,” said Stanley-Anderson.
For more information, go to lucydanielscenter.org or contact Clarenda Stanley-Anderson at canderson@lucydanielscenter.org.
