Alan Gratz is speaker at Lunch-4-Literacy fundraiser March 19
Lunch-4-Literacy happens March 19 at 11:30 in the Oak Ridge High School food court. Tickets are $55, available at Southern Bliss and the Ferrell Shop in Jackson Square, Oak Ridge.
Now in its 28th year, Lunch-4-Literacy is a joint project of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. It raises money for literacy projects for schools and other non-profit organizations throughout Anderson and Roane Counties. Clinton and Anderson County Schools receive several grants each year from the event.
New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz is the featured speaker this year. Gratz writes books for young people—although adults who are reading his books in anticipation of Lunch-4-Literacy report that they like his work.
As a bonus event this year, Gratz will meet with local middle schoolers.
Invitation have gone out to Clinton Middle School, Anderson County middle schools, St. Mary’s, Oak Ridge middle schools, Girls Inc. and homeschoolers to attend a free session with Gratz at 2:30 March 19 in the Oak Ridge High School amphitheater.
Gratz grew up in Knoxville, graduated from Webb School and earned two degrees from the University of Tennessee. Now living in Asheville with his wife and daughter, Gratz travels throughout the country speaking to school groups and professional conferences.
Gratz’s website is funny, but some of his stories are deadly serious. He says that he has been putting fictional kids in danger since 2006.
Altrusa and Breakfast Rotary Club members volunteer their time to hold Lunch-4-Literacy, which has become a community celebratory event as well as a significant fund-raiser for literacy.