La Jolla CA— Traveling Stories will host its annual Red Balloon Awards dinner and gala event on Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla (3777 La Jolla Village Drive). This year’s gala theme is “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!” inspired by the Dr. Suess book, and will begin with a cocktail reception and include a silent auction. The event will honor three literacy heroes and benefit the organization’s StoryTent program, which provides free reading support to more than 3,500 underserved children in San Diego every year.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 82 percent of low-income children in America cannot read at grade level by the fourth grade, which leaves them 15 times more likely to drop out of school.
The Red Balloon Awards bring the community together to celebrate businesses and individuals who make literacy a priority and partner with organizations and teachers to improve children’s reading levels. Winners of the award are selected based on the literary works they create, their advocacy efforts and the financial support they make.
Nominations for the awards were open from February to May 2017. Nominees are listed on the event website at www.travelingstories.org/rbas. Five finalists will be announced on July 16, 2017 and the three winners will be named the night of the event.
“The Red Balloon Awards is a chance to celebrate the transformative power of reading,” said Emily Moberly, Founder of Traveling Stories, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged children discover a love for reading. “The funds raised from this event are vital for ensuring that children in San Diego become confident readers and attain every opportunity to flourish.”
Key sponsors for the Red Balloon Awards include Mission Federal Credit Union, IDW Publishing, Humble Bundle, Will Power and Live Life Shredded.
“Mission Fed understands that, from a collective perspective, a literate community is a dynamic community,” said Angie Lasagna, Vice President of Community Relations for Mission Fed. “We’re proud to once again support the Red Balloon Awards and recognize those in our region whose work ultimately leads to individual and community well-being.”
A 2016 finalist for the National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize, Traveling Stories sets up mobile StoryTent programs at farmers markets and provides free reading support to underserved children. Children visit the program, read books to volunteers or their parents and earn a book buck for each book read. Children may redeem their book bucks for prizes.
Early-bird ticket registration is $75 per person or $550 for a table of eight, while sponsorship opportunities range from $750 to $10,000. To purchase tickets or become an event sponsor, please visit www.redballoonawards.org/rbas