SHARP Literacy held its 13th annual “A Novel Event Luncheon” on September 22, 2014, at the Pfister Hotel. The “A Novel Event Luncheon” is a thank you to recent sponsors and a place to raise funds for area schools. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. was a sponsor for the event.
By teaching children how to read, write, research and more, SHARP provides opportunities for children in the community. SHARP also enables children to identify themselves as capable scholars, which gives them the motivation to stay in school.
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| LeVar Burton delivering the keynote. |
Lynda Kohler, President and CEO of SHARP, addressed the attendees by thanking them for their generosity and for attending the luncheon. Kohler shared that SHARP is able to help 8,500 children in 40 area schools for the 2014-2015 school year. She also introduced a new tradition for the organization, the SHARP Honoree.
The 2014 SHARP Man of the Year was awarded to Andy Fleckenstein, founder of Fleck Controls and the Fleck Foundation. Fleckenstein has served on numerous boards in the Milwaukee community, and is very involved with brick-and-mortar projects and scholarships, and also creates opportunities for those with drug and alcohol addiction. During his speech, he shared that 70,000 kids have been impacted by the work of SHARP Literacy, and that the community should strive for higher numbers.
Following Fleckenstein’s speech was a donation period, where attendees could contribute more to the organization. The total donations hit SHARP’s goal of $10,000.
LeVar Burton, famous for his roles in “Roots”, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and as host “Reading Rainbow,” was the keynote speaker. During his compelling speech, he spoke about the interaction between technology and storytelling, especially in the digital age. Burton has dedicated a large majority of his life to education and literacy efforts. “Reading Rainbow” inspired generations of children to read and ran for 23 years. He shared that adults should find what inspires the children in their lives, and to nurture that inspiration with the gift of reading. Burton’s driving point was that the community and parents need to utilize the tools of technology to move the culture forward.
Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has supported education in the Milwaukee area for many years. Recently, the firm has donated bumper stickers and backpacks to school-aged children in need, among many other things.
