LITE Selects iPad Winner after Fundraising Efforts

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – November 21, 2011— Literacy Is The Edge, or LITE, a University of Alabama student organization, recently presented an iPad2 to Damien Christian. Christian donated a dollar to LITE last week in the group’s fundraising efforts for the 2011 campaign, “Empower Illiteracy.” His name was drawn randomly from 897 entrants. He is a sophomore political science major from Troy, Ala., who hopes to become a lawyer one day.

Christian was thrilled to find out he was the winner of the iPad2. He said, “I was so happy when they called. I was in a good mood for the rest of the day.”

LITE is dedicated to improving literacy rates in West Alabama by teaming up with the Literacy Council of West Alabama (LCWA). The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama created LCWA in 2008 as focal point for local literacy issues and endeavors. LITE’s main focus this year is fundraising and providing the Literacy Council of West Alabama with communication materials such as public service announcements, feature stories, flyers and brochures to be used in a community campaign next year.

LITE kicked off its fundraising efforts on Monday, Nov. 7, at the Ferguson Center with an information table. Students could sign up to become a tutor, or donate for a chance to win an iPad2. The student’s name went into the drawing for every dollar he/she donated. As this region is still recovering from the devastating tornado on April 27, the Council plans on using the money to help build a stronger community by focusing on literacy. One in four Alabamians is functionally illiterate, meaning they do not have basic reading, writing, or math skills.

Fundraising efforts continued at the Ferguson Center until Thursday, Nov. 10. LITE also had a table a Quidditch on the Quad on Sunday, Nov. 13. Individuals could donate with check, cash or Bama Cash. Zoe’s Kitchen in Bryant-Denny Stadium also teamed up with LITE and donated 15 percent of its profits from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 17.
For more information on the campaign, or to become a volunteer, please go to http://lite.ua.edu, or find us on Twitter @L_I_T_E, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LiteracyIsTheEdge.