EWI is committed to promoting international literacy. In 1992, the EWI membership selected literacy as its philanthropic focus and since 1999 has held an annual International Reading Rally. EWI chapters across North America have enlisted the aid of corporations, writers, teachers, and many others to promote reading and writing opportunities to children. 

Reading Rally events are one of the ways EWI promotes literacy in the community. Throughout the years Reading Rally events have made a difference for more than 17,000 children across the country.

In 2005, Reading Rally became a part of the Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting (LCAM) experience. Academy of Leadership Alumni participants were invited to visit a local Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City where a new reading room had been decorated and stocked by EWI representatives and firms.

EWI Reading Rally
Reading Rally Partnerships are an excellent way get involved in the community and gain publicity since the Reading Rally often attracts television and newspaper coverage. The "Reading Rally Partnership Levels pdf" outlines the various opportunities available. All contributors are recognized and publicized.

We sincerely hope that you will catch EWI's spirit of promoting literacy through the EWI Reading Rally initiative! Support from partnerships helps us create heartwarming literacy events year after year.

Reading Rally Tool-kit pdf. Filled with Reading Rally ideas, book labels Word doc and more, the Reading Rally Tool-kit is designed to make your Reading Rally a success!

Reading Rally Facts

  • Chapter Reading Rallies are held during the month of October.
  • EWI Chapters plan and implement their own unique Reading Rally events that range from community read-ins and book donations to major events involving celebrities, story characters and the creation of reading rooms.
  • The goal of the Reading Rallies is to bring the gift of reading to all children and to demonstrate an excitement for reading through Chapter and community volunteers.
  • Each year, nearly 700 volunteers devote time, hard work and funds to make their EWI Reading Rally events successful.
  • Sponsorship at the Chapter level totals more than $20,000 for books, school supplies, food, crafts, personal products and more.
  • EWI partners with Scholastic, Inc. who provides Chapters with "Scholastic Tool Kits". Each year, Scholastic donates hundreds of books.
  • Qwest Foundation, Random House Publishing and Ingram Book Group in Nashville also donate books to the Reading Rally effort.
  • iDEX Creative Marketing developed the EWI Reading Rally T-shirt design and slogan, "Be a Leader – Be a Reader." Shirts are given to children across the country who participates in EWI Reading Rally events.
  • The Phoenix Chapter conducts a Reading Rally with Banner Health Hospitals, providing books, craft products (crayons, ruler, colored paper, etc.) to children who are hospitalized. The Child gets to pick out a book they want, are given a "goody bag" and then have craft time, providing a much needed highlight in an otherwise depressing situation.

2010 Reading Rally Events

As part of the EWI Corporate Reading Rally, 2nd graders from Whittier Elementary School in Kansas City will be invited to attend to our EWI Corporate Reading Rally luncheon at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010. Part of the event will be a story writing contest with the 2nd graders where prizes will be awarded.

The design for this year's Reading Rally T-Shirt will continue to be the "Be A Leader, Be a Reader!" design. Cost of T-Shirts are $6.50 each for any size ordered (this price includes shipping). Please refer to the EWI Corporate Reading Rally web page for ordering information and additional event details.

The book selected for the Corporate Reading Rally is "The Library Mouse" (Scholastic) written by Daniel Kirk. This is a lovely book and encourages both reading and writing for children... the EWI Corporate Committee heartily recommends this book!