Fallbrook A Leer’s annual day of literacy, activities, and volunteering will be Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–2 p.m, at Maie Ellis Elementary School. The keynote speaker this year in Fallbrook Union High School Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzales.
Now in its 21st year, the event will feature 30 guest readers for elementary-age children, activities for preschoolers, free filled backpacks, free books, cultural folk dancing, low rider cars, food, and much more.
The student winners of the poetry and essay contests will also be announced. One lucky family will be the winner of a chrome book laptop and printer, donated by the Fallbrook Democratic Club.
“Fallbrook A Leer’s annual day of literacy and service is the perfect embodiment of Cesar Chavez’s mission to uplift our Latino/Chicano children by focusing on their education,” says Tauna Rodarte, Fallbrook A Leer committee member on Marketing & PR. “For the past 20 years, this event has united Fallbrook through a shared vision of learning and service and by building a stronger community.”
The program targets some 300 low-income Latinos or low-income Spanish-speaking families from Fallbrook and Vallecitos.
When Leticia Maldonado/Stamos launched Fallbrook a Leer in 2004, she thought of César Chávez. “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore,” Cesar Chavez believed.
The programs’ mission is to “emphasize the importance of community service and encourage literacy, reading at home,” says Leticia. The books read cover culturally relevant topics including cultural literacy and the fight against racism.
