The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is planning its first Literacy Awareness Event Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oswego YMCA Armory located on West First St. in Oswego.

The focus of the event will be to promote literacy services, increase awareness and recognize the importance of literacy for all ages.

The theme of the event is “One World, Many Stories.” In concert with this theme, attendants will receive a “Passport to the World” and be encouraged to visit the tables throughout the Armory that represent a different country. A family-oriented event, activities include arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, bounce house and more. Additionally, the event will showcase a dozen local authors who will be at the event signing books.

Organizers are in need prizes to give away at the event. Businesses and individuals will be recognized in a news release as well as the event program as a business or individual that supports literacy. Items requested are: gift cards, movie passes, board games, electronics, art supplies, back-to-school items or other appropriate gifts for children or families. Organizers do ask that these items be new or unused.

The event is intended to raise awareness on the importance of literacy in our community.

In most cases, literacy is directly tied to job readiness and professional achievement. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 65% of adults with below basic prose literacy were not in the labor force, were unemployed, or were employed only part time.

For all donations, drop off locations are the following:

In Fulton: Assemblyman Will Barclay’s District Office, Oswego County Office Building, 200 North Second Street, 2nd Floor, Fulton. Drop off M-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

* In Oswego: The Palladium Times, 140 West First Street, Oswego. Drop off M- Fri 8:30a.m.-5p.m.

* In Mexico: Oswego County Opportunities Senior Nutrition Office, 5871 Scenic Ave, Mexico (next to Bowling Ave. on Rt. 3). Drop off M-Fri 9a.m. -2 p.m.

For more information about the event or questions about donations, please call Jeanne Cieszeski at 315-593-4157 or Jennifer Cook at 598-5185 or visit the Oswego County Web site.