TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The men’s basketball teams of both Florida State University and Florida A&M will host upcoming games to promote childhood reading and raise funds for local literacy work.
The fundraising organization, Coaching for Literacy, partnered with International Paper to connect communities with local basketball teams across the country in an effort to raise awareness of illiteracy with a campaign they call Fight for Literacy.
“59 percent of students in Florida aren’t reading at grade level,” said Chandler Ferguson with Coaching for Literacy. “The funds raised through the Fight for Literacy campaign will give local kids crucial literacy training to combat this harrowing statistic.”
The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, which will help facilitate the literary resources and tools, is currently seeking pledges for the upcoming games.
FSU is scheduled to play on February 13 and FAMU on February 20. Local businesses like RedEye Coffee, Whataburger, and Blaze Pizza are hosting share nights this week to donate a portion of their sales for the events.
As the presenting partner of the Fight for Literacy, International Paper Company has guaranteed a $10,000 donation and will match all donations up to $5,000.
Community members and businesses can pledge as little as fifty cents per assist and International Paper will match it 100 percent.
To donate today, visit: pledgeit.org/fsufflw2021 or pledgeit.org/famufflg2021
