Promoting literacy both locally and globally is the main purpose of the Orange County Reading Association (OCRA). Each year, OCRA celebrates the efforts of an agency, a program, or an organization that has made significant contributions to promoting literacy worldwide.
Award Criteria*:
- Must be a professional agency, individual program or established organization
- Must demonstrate a commitment to promoting literacy on a global scale through volunteer work, monetary contributions, and/or other support
- Awarded money must be spent with in two months of receiving the award at the annual fall conference.
- Awarded money must be used for the purpose of literacy promotion by the organization
- Recipient agrees to send in 4 photos that display how the money was spent so it can be posted on OCRA’s web page.
*Celebrate Literacy Award recipients are eligible for additional recognition from the California Reading Association as well as the International Literacy Association upon review from each organization.
The Orange County Reading Association has given this award to the following deserving recipients:
2021-2022-Kathleen Muth Reading Center, Chapman University
2020-2021-Hazel Miller Croy Reading Center, California State University, Fullerton
2019-2020- Dr. Sharon Chappell & The Little Green Monster Project
2018-2019- Book Fairies Orange County
2017-2018- RIF SoCal and the Orange County Department of Education
2016-2017-Joy’s Little Free Library
2015-2016 – Orange County Children’s Book Festival
2014-2015 –The Canine Literacy Program – Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
2013-2014 – Rachelle Cracchiolo
2012-2013 – Dr. Rebecca Constantino
2011-2012 – Megan Mettler
2010-2011 – KidWorks
2009-2010 – Reach Out and Read, Orange County
2009-2010 –Tiger Woods Learning Center
2008-2009 – Tiger Woods Foundation
2008-2009 – University of California, Irvine’s HABLA program
2007-2008 – Anaheim Ducks’ S.C.O.R.E. Program
2006-2007 – Rotary Club of Orange
2005-2006 – Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s Clinic Reading Program
2004-2005 – Libreria Martinez Books & Art Gallery
2003-2004 – The Reading Corners Program
2002-2003 – The Friendly Center
2001 – 2002 – The Jester & Pharley Phund
2000 – 2001 – Rosie’s Garage
1999 – 2000 – South Coast Storytellers Guild
1998 – 1999 – University of California, Irvine & California State University, Fullerton’s America Reads Program
1997 – 1998 – READ OC
1996 – 1997 – Robert Condon, Rolling Readers
1995 – 1996 – Lois Monroe, Time for Kids
1994 – 1995 – Project S.H.U.E. (Safety, Health, Understanding, & Education)
1993 – 1994 – Pam Carlson, Library Stars (shelter outreach)
1992 – 1993 – Carl Karcher Enterprises
1991 – 1992 – Camp Fire USA, Orange County Council
1990 – 1991 – Ann Robinson, Project HOPE
1989 – 1990 – South Coast Literacy Council
1988 – 1989 – Pizza Hut, Book It Program
1987 – 1988 – Girl Scout Council of Orange County