The importance of literacy has been close to her heart for a long time, says Holly Ward, executive director of Public Affairs and Communications.

She joined UWindsor President Alan Wildeman and dozens of volunteers who spread out across Windsor-Essex on Wednesday morning, exchanging special editions of the Windsor Star for contributions to the Raise-A-Reader campaign. The effort raises funds for family literacy programs, distributing reading skills and books to local children.

Ward worked at Riverside Library through high school and during her studies in English and communications at the University of Windsor.

“Time and again, I experienced how powerful books can be to a wide variety of people from all walks of life -- whether they came in to learn something new or wanted to escape to a fictional world for a few hours,” she said. “It was a pleasure to donate a bit of time and help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.”

The Raise-A-Reader program has generated more than $17-million since its national launch in 2002. Learn more at www.raiseareader.com; to donate, call 1-866-637-READ.