International Paper announces its support for childhood literacy by teaming up with Coaching for Literacy and its #Fight4Literacy Games presented by International Paper. This is the fourth year of the partnership, but new for the 2020-2021 season, International Paper is the presenting sponsor of all #Fight4Literacy Games, which take place at collegiate basketball games across the country.
This season, International Paper Company has committed $200,000 to support literacy efforts, with match challenges up to $5k in particular markets, with a goal to raise an additional $100,000 for childhood literacy programming.
The #Fight4Literacy presented by International Paper works with college athletic teams, coaches and players to raise awareness about illiteracy and funds for literacy programs in their communities. Coaching staff for teams wear #Green4Literacy ties, lapel pins and wristbands to raise awareness about the issue. Local businesses and fans can support the effort by making donations at pledgeit.org/for/fight-for-literacy2020.
#Fight4Literacy Games will occur in markets across the country with signature events tied to University of Memphis (1/14), Mississippi State (1/30), Georgia Tech (2/10) and University of South Carolina (2/20). New for 2020-2021, #Fight4Literacy Games will also be held by the Women’s Basketball Teams at the University of Memphis, Mississippi State and South Carolina, as well as the following Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Florida A&M University, LeMoyne-Owen College and North Carolina A&T State University.
100% of all donations made through #Fight4Literacy Games will be granted to programs in each home team market. Only 34% of third-grade students in the U.S. are reading at grade-level; Coaching for Literacy and International Paper are working with local literacy programs to provide books, resources, tutoring and attention to help change that statistic.
You can join International Paper and Coaching for Literacy by making a donation per assist at pledgeit.org/for/fight-for-literacy2020 or by supporting a participating business donating proceeds during #Fight4Literacy Week opportunities.
IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY
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66% of American fourth-graders are not reading at grade-level. (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
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85% of juveniles in the court system cannot read. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy, U.S. Department of Education)
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Illiteracy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion annually in non-productivity among the workforce, crime and loss of tax revenue. (National Council for Adult Learning, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)
