SAVANNAH — Savannah Technical College will celebrate International Literacy Day today with a brief ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by a literacy information fair until noon in the college’s Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Campus on White Bluff Road.  

“Literacy touches everyone in our community,” said Charita Boles, STC executive director of adult education. “Being able to read and fully understand makes such a difference for people in confidence, career growth and development and in just feeling good about themselves.”

A number of organizations are scheduled to participate in the Literacy Information Fair at the Savannah Campus including the state Department of Labor, LASO, Live Oak Library, All Walks of Life, Memorial Health Perinatal Outreach, Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral Agency of Southeast Georgia, a major national kids bookseller and many different groups affiliated with Savannah Technical College.

At the International Literacy Day events, the college will recognize literacy volunteers in our communities, highlight some successful adult education students and kick off a book drive, with donated books being given to area charitable organizations.

Each campus location will hold a book drive running from Sept. 8-Oct. 9 and students in the adult education program will determine which community organizations receive the donated books.

And, according to Boles, students will assist in delivering the donated books as their schedule allows.

The public is encouraged to bring donated books to any Savannah Technical College location — 5717 White Bluff Rd. in Savannah; in the Crossroads Business Park off I-95; Effingham, Highway 21 in Rincon; Fort Stewart Army Education Center Room 228; and at the Bryan County Public Library.

Savannah Technical College provides free adult education and ESL classes in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties and is an official GED testing location. The college served 2,178 students last year through adult education.