Rock for Reading at Ravinia

In 2004, the National Endowment for the Arts published Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America. Among the many startling statistics about literacy in the United States, the study showed that Americans are spending less time reading, reading comprehension skills are eroding, and these declines have serious civic, social, cultural, and economic implications. Worse yet, approximately one in three Chicagoans is considered functionally illiterate, and Illinois' literacy rate ranks 34 out of the 50 states.

In that same year, musician Alice Peacock decided to do something about it. Peacock founded Rock For Reading, which “leverages the power of ROCK to inspire literacy - motivating and empowering people to enrich their lives through reading.”

Peacock, who calls Chicago home, has played Ravinia twice before. I’m really excited that Ravinia is partnering with her charity for such an important cause. R4R has made some huge strides in promoting literacy here in Illinois, and its success has shown that people and communities working together can make a substantial difference. When she performs at Ravinia Festival in support of John Hiatt on July 18, you can help by bringing gently used books for grades Kindergarten through 8 to donate. Just drop off your donations at the West Gate, then enjoy the concert! If you love reading, have kids that love reading or are still a book-loving kid yourself, please do your part by giving your books to kids who need them.

Liv Swenson
Communications Intern