The third annual breakfast of the Literacy Council for Schuylkill County Inc. was held Friday to thank those who have supported the organization in its mission to enhance literacy in the county for almost three decades.
The breakfast was held at The Pottsville Club and included individuals, businesses and organizations, tutors and board of directors members. Moderating the event was LCSC Executive Director Stacy A. Murphy. Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage presented the invocation.
Murphy said the breakfasts are traditionally held near the beginning of the council's fiscal year, which is July 1.
"During the whole year, I am usually seeing everyone here for many different things in all that you contribute to us," Murphy said. "If we didn't have you, we wouldn't be able to serve the amount of people that we do. Our tutors are just a fabulous group of people who volunteer their time throughout the county."
Murphy said that some tutors have the fortune of providing the services to people within the town or area they live in, but most come to the LCSC office in the Losch Building in Pottsville to meet with the students there.
Created in 1983, the literacy council has helped thousands of people not only to learn how to read but also helped them to develop math skills, get their high school equivalency diploma, learn English as a second language and help students enhance their reading and math skills to get into college or the military.
LCSC provides confidential, one-on-one tutoring to adults in Schuylkill County at no cost to the student. Tutoring is provided in basic reading, writing and math skills for adults age 17 and older who are county residents and not currently enrolled in public or private secondary or post-secondary school.
Murphy said those who approach the literacy council for services each have specific reasons.
"Everyone has a goal who comes to the literacy council," Murphy said. "Some have a basic goal of just wanting to read a book to their child or grandchild, or to get a driver's license, learning to fill out an application to get a new job, or just to get themselves self-sufficient and improve their quality of life. Jobs are very hard to find and you have to be able to take the test to get a job."
About 13 percent of Pennsylvania's adults lack the basic literacy skills to read a newspaper, according to a study released in 2009 by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Schuylkill County fairs a bit better at 12 percent, while Philadelphia has the highest illiteracy rate of 22 percent.
Murphy pointed out that the literacy council is funded by the state Department of Education to provide services to 87 people this year, but the number of people served is much higher.
"We don't turn anybody away," said Murphy, who added that number is about 150. Donations and grants from individuals, businesses, agencies and foundations bridge the funding gap.
"The reason for this breakfast is to thank everyone in here, no matter what your role may be, for playing a part that helps the literacy council continue to exist."
The introductions of board members, staff and tutors were made by LCSC board President Scott Greis, which was followed by tutor Herman "Sonny" Fenstermacher telling a story of a student success story.
Fenstermacher explained that the student, whose name was Jose, needed tutoring in basic math so he could obtain his high school equivalency diploma to go to construction management school.
"In the first tutoring session, I said, 'You teach me Spanish and I'll teach you algebra,' " Fenstermacher said. "He was just a great, great young man and very enthusiastic and eager to learn. When we finished the sessions, I didn't hear anything from him for about five months and then I got a phone call from him to thank me very much. He received his diploma and is going on to the construction management school. As a volunteer, it just makes you feel absolutely terrific when someone calls and says thank you for the effort that you expended to help them move to the next level."
Fenstermacher concluded his talk with a phrase in Spanish.
Tutor Kathy Fisher, who is a retired mathematics teacher, spoke about the challenges of tutoring people from ages 18 to 65 of all ethnic cultures and nationalities.
"It's just a melting pot of people wanting to learn and people wanting to help," Fisher said. "Hopefully, we do good things for Schuylkill County, get some people on their feet in getting good jobs or better jobs, and get people off welfare rolls."
During her remarks thanking individuals and organizations for their support, Murphy thanked the Ashland Area Rotary Club, which was represented by Jim and Darcie Gruber, for its financial support. The club has held a "Pet Walk for Literacy" for many years to raise funds for the literacy council and the Ashland Public Library.
The closing remarks were made by county Commissioner Gary Hess, stating, "We find out there are a lot of great partners in Schuylkill County doing a lot of great things for many people, and the literacy council definitely does a lot of special things. The tutors, volunteers and contributors are examples of what makes Schuylkill County strong."
Resource Development Director Terry Sadusky also spoke briefly about the support LCSC has received, adding that the organization may be located in Pottsville but it is a county-wide operation touching all areas.
Anyone seeking tutoring services, volunteering as a tutor, to make a donation or sponsor a scholarship, or for more information, call 570-622-9500 or 800-460-3840.