Fuel Dealers Distribute Warm Up to Literacy Message

Eight area fuel companies have joined with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta to help distribute nearly twenty thousand bright yellow door hangers over the next month urging people to “Warm Up to Literacy!”  According to the National Adult Literacy Survey nearly one out of every of 6 adults in Kennebec County can’t read.  The campaign is designed to encourage adults who want to learn to read or learn to read better to contact Literacy Volunteers.

“This is a great way to get the message out,” explained Bob McIntire, a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. “Fuel companies were excited about helping us. We serve a large area, 18 communities from Sidney to Richmond and Monmouth to Palermo, so it is hard to get the message out. This way we’ll reach every corner of our market! Drivers will put the hanger on the front door knob after filling up the oil or gas tank. The hangers also encourage people to contact the organization if they would like to be a tutor or volunteer in some other way.”

“Our services are free and confidential,” according to Gail Dyer, the Volunteer Coordinator. “Tutors work one-to-one with students developing lesson plans using the learner’s goal or personal interests as the theme. It is really a student-centered program in every way. Tutors and students set the schedule and meet where it is most convenient like in town libraries, churches, schools or here in our office. If someone is interested in becoming a tutor, we have a training session coming up the end of February.” 

The fuel companies participating in the Warm Up to Literacy campaign include Downeast Energy, Winthrop Fuel, Irving, Chapman Brothers, R.J. Energy Services, Augusta Fuel Company, Fabian Oil and Wadleigh’s.

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