On Wednesday, October 19th, Words Alive celebrated our 13th Annual Author's Luncheon. We had such an amazing time at this event getting to thank our sponsors, volunteers, and donors that help us change lives through reading. Words Alive was able to raise over $200,000 through marketplace proceeds, the silent auction and raffle, and the generous support of those who attended. With these funds, we will be able to reach more children, teens, and families across San Diego and Orange Counties and inspire them to become life-long readers and learners.
We enjoyed hearing about the inspiration behind Small Great Things and how Jodi Picoult's passion for social issues shaped the novel. Small Great Things was released on October 11 and is already a #1 New York Times Best Seller! Thank you Warwick's for making Jodi's appearance possible.
Special thanks to our program moderator, Sam Zien, and interview moderator, Lacy Crawford, for being such an integral part of the luncheon. We loved having Sam keep up the energy in the room and hearing Lacy’s thought-provoking questions about Small Great Things. They were both invaluable additions to our event.
Our event would not have been possible without the generous donations of our luncheon sponsors: Gurtin Municipal Bond Management, Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, Geppetto's, P.S. Platinum Properties, ATTSavings.com, Christopher Weil and Company, and Ace Parking.
Thank you to all those who donated to the raffle and silent auction or participated in our marketplace. We are so grateful to have partnerships with so many businesses and individuals throughout San Diego County. Your continuous donations to the luncheon provide Words Alive with so much support!
Lastly, thank you to YOU — the table sponsors, donors, attendees, and those who are new or long-time supporters of Words Alive. Without your donations and countless volunteer hours, we would not be able to change the lives of so many children, teens, and families in our community. Whether you have been with us since 1999 or are just now discovering the work we do, thank you. Your support has given us the chance to be in over 215 classrooms, train over 500 volunteers, and continue the expansion of our programs.
To keep up with our work, be sure to follow Words Alive on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We look forward to seeing you at our 14th Annual Author’s Luncheon next year!
Check out some of our favorite photos from the event:
