Events set for Literacy Awareness Month

The annual Chili Cook-Off is slated for Feb. 9 at
Shenango Valley Mall.

GREENVILLE, Pa. — The Literacy Council of Mercer County will kick off its upcoming Literacy Awareness Month with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday at The Winner Institute of Arts and Sciences, 123 Edgewood Drive Ext., Transfer, Pa.

The Mercer County commissioners have proclaimed February as “Literacy Awareness Month.”

School administrators, government officials, community leaders and local media are being invited to the breakfast to mark the occasion and to honor outgoing Commissioner Olivia Lazor with an award for her years of service and support of human services.

“Once again we are honored by the proclamation and we welcome the opportunity to raise awareness of literacy programs in Mercer County,” said Dr. Georgina Rettinger, Literacy Council executive director. “We will be highlighting the success we have had improving the reading, learning and social skills of our students.”

The council is also planning its “4th Annual Mercer County Chili Cook-Off,” its major fund-raising endeavor of the year, set for noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 in the main concourse of the Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage.

All local chili cooks, restaurants and chili-eating fans are invited to join in the fun.

Prospective corporate sponsors, chili cooks and tasters should contact Daphne Bauer at the council office at (724) 588-6141 or by e-mail at dbauer@neo.rr.com.

The Literacy Council of Mercer County is a nonprofit corporation located at 222 Main Street, Greenville. It offers a variety of educational and social programs to improve the basic skills needed to compete in today’s marketplace.