Award-winning Author Cynthia Lord to Visit with the ORLANDO CARES Mayor Buddy’s Book Club Members
ORLANDO CARES Initiative is Aimed at Youth Education and Youth Crime Prevention

WHAT:
In just one year, Mayor Buddy’s Book Club, one of six ORLANDO CARES volunteer initiatives, has more than 1,300 student members, who are completing their eighth book, Rules. On Wednesday, May 16, award-winning author of Rules, Cynthia Lord, will come to Orlando to celebrate and talk with book club members at an end-of-book party at the Downtown Orlando Public Library.

Lord, who also wrote Touch Blue, is a popular young adult author from Maine, who learned that ORLANDO CARES Mayor Buddy’s Book Club members were reading her book and offered to come to Orlando for the end-of-book party. Book club members will have the opportunity to meet the author, get their books signed and learn more about how the author’s first book was developed.

WHY:
Mayor Buddy’s Book Club, the signature program of ORLANDO CARES, is increasing leisure time reading for Orlando students in 5th-8th grades by making reading fun and accessible. To date, 78% of the 1,300 book club members report an increase in their leisure-time reading since joining the club.

ORLANDO CARES BACKGROUND:
ORLANDO CARES is the City’s high-impact volunteer plan designed to address the issues of youth crime prevention and education through six service initiatives; Mayor Buddy’s Book Club, COMPACT Expansion, The Garden, Preschool Ambassadors, School Turnaround Project – Interfaith Volunteer Pilot and Path Finders. *A full description and more information on each ORLANDO CARES program is attached.

Since its launch in March 2011, the ORLANDO CARES initiative has engaged more than 400 community volunteers in programs that help youth improve their academic success with a focus on literacy and reduce youth crime.

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
3:30 – 5 p.m.

WHERE:
Downtown Orlando Public Library
101 East Central Boulevard

For more information: Visit orlandocares.net/bookclub to become a member of Mayor Buddy’s Book Club.

Visit orlandocares.net to learn more about Orlando Cares’ six, high-impact initiatives and sign up to volunteer.

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