While  Better Basics hoped to host a live Love for Literacy gala in February 2021, the organization is foregoing an in-person event due to COVID-19. Since they cannot host their largest fundraising event, Better Basics needs the community’s support more than ever!

74% of third-grade students in Birmingham City Schools are reading below grade level. Two-thirds of the third graders are below grade level in mathematics. The vast majority of students are struggling with the most fundamental elements of a solid education and every year they are getting further and further behind. The pandemic increased this education gap for low-income students. Unless intervention is made early on, many of these students may eventually give up on education and on themselves. That is why Better Basics exists - to provide opportunities for all students to be empowered to achieve academic success regardless of their circumstances.

Better Basics has adapted to provide virtual research-based literacy programs during the 2020-2021 academic year. These proven programs increase the reading and mathematical functioning of students performing below grade-level. The pandemic brought changes resulting in increased technology, training, supplies, and curriculum expenditures.

The Love for Literacy campaign is the children’s literacy non-profit’s signature fundraiser. Proceeds support Better Basics’ excellent academic intervention and enrichment programs for struggling students in Birmingham area low-income communities. Better Basics provides services to approximately 35 schools and greatly impacts the lives of over 23,000 under-served children, birth through twelfth grade.

Donors can purchase either the Adult Valentine’s gift basket or the Kid Valentine’s gift basket.  

The Adult basket ($80) includes:

1 bottle of fine red wine from International Wines, 2 bundtlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and a fresh flower arrangement by Marigold Designs.  

The Kid basket ($45) includes:

1 Nothing Bundt Cakes bundtlet, a Valentine’s themed children’s book, candy, an activity, and a Valentine’s Day balloon.  

The baskets will be available for pick-up at Better Basics on Friday, February 12th.    

** The first 50 Valentine’s package purchases will be in a drawing to win a $250 Avani Rupa gift certificate **

or buy chances to win luxury items:

Round Trip Delta airline tickets plus Marriott points

Fine jewelry by Avani Rupta

Fine Wines from Finch Fine Wines

Cooler of premium meats

ASH Renovations is the 2021 “Game Changer” presenting sponsor. Other sponsors are Protective Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Medical Properties Trust, Brasfield & Gorrie, BL Harbert Corp., Regions Bank, Publix Charities, Diane & Jim Richardson, and Tanya & Skip Cooper.

Visit www.BetterBasics.org/events for Valentine's Baskets, chances to win luxury items and more information.

Better Basics is a Birmingham, Alabama non-profit organization promoting children’s reading and mathematics literacy. We have had boots on the ground in the literacy fight for the last 26 years. Better Basics delivers a comprehensive range of research-based intervention and enrichment programs to pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade children in Central Alabama in collaboration with public schools in underserved areas. We also provide books and literacy outreach services directly to Birmingham communities.

Follow Better Basics on social media:

Social tag: #Love4Literacy

Faceboook: BetterBasicsBham  

Instagram: betterbasicsbham