Golfers, Department Support Literacy

Nearly 200 golfers are raising money for literacy today, June 24, at the eleventh annual Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy in Dundee, Richmond Co.

The event began with a dinner last night at the Dundee Resort and Golf Club. CBC's Peter Mansbridge presented Education Minister Jane Purves with a plaque recognizing the Department of Education's contributions to the tournament over the years.

The department has contributed over $400,000 since the tournament began in Nova Scotia in 1991, making it one of the largest contributors to the literacy campaign in Canada. This year, the Department of Education contributed $40,000.

"We support this event year after year because the money it raises helps Nova Scotians discover the joy and the power of reading," said Ms. Purves. "Recognition for our contribution is wonderful, but even more praise is due to the literacy organizations and volunteers who help Nova Scotians learn to read."

Peter Gzowski launched the first tournament in his home province of Ontario in 1986. His goal was to raise $1 million for literacy in his lifetime. Today, tournaments are held in all of Canada's provinces and territories and have raised almost $7 million.

Last year, Nova Scotia's tournament raised more than $100,000. The Nova Scotia Provincial Literacy Coalition distributes the proceeds to literacy organizations around the province. These organizations provide one-to-one tutoring and classroom and small-group instruction to more than 2,000 adult Nova Scotians.