SMART, Start Making A Reader Today and Umpqua Bank present the fifth annual SMART Art: Show, Sale, Social on October 22, 5:30pm at Kendall Toyota on Third Street in Bend.

In 2014, nearly 100 people attended this fabulous event and had a wonderful time helping raise money to support SMART programs in Pre-K-third grade classrooms across Central Oregon.

SMART Art is a family oriented, entertaining event including a children’s art contest sponsored by Cascade A&E. The event features displays of book inspired art pieces by children, raffles, a wine wall and live music provided by Lori Fletcher of Deco Moon Jazz.

SMART Art is not only a fundraiser, but also a friend-raiser. For the past 23 years, SMART volunteers in Central Oregon have read with children at local elementary schools inspiring a love of reading and ultimately giving kids the support they need to read confidently and fluently by the third grade.

This school year they are reading to children at several new school sites in Central Oregon, which means they will need upwards of 100 additional volunteers to provide this very important support to children. SMART Volunteers commit to one hour per week reading one-on-one with children in local schools. Attendees of SMART Art will learn more about volunteering to read one hour a week with children in Central Oregon.

“Volunteers who give the gift of their time are helping SMART realize the vision of an Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed,” said Sue Stephens, SMART senior program manager.

Admission to this event is $10 or a new, hardcover children’s book to add to our school based permanent collections. RSVP recommended 541-355-5600 or dturnbull@getSMARToregon.org.

For 23 years SMART, Start Making A Reader Today, has partnered with schools around the state, engaging community volunteers to read one-on-one with Pre-K-third grade children, helping to strengthen literacy skills and encourage a love of reading. SMART has steadily grown to become Oregon’s largest volunteer literacy program. In the 2015-16 school year, in Central Oregon alone, they will serve nearly 700 children with the help of more than 400 community volunteers. Children in the program receive 14 new books throughout the school year to keep and read with their families. Together, with support from communities and schools around the state, SMART is improving the reading capacity of Oregon’s children.
www.GetSMARToregon.org