Time to Drink Champage & Dance on the Table

press release: On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Charlie’s On Main, Yahara Bay Distillery, Fred Astaire Madison East and Madison Reading Project will join together to raise awareness and funds for the book giving program within the Madison Reading Project, a Madison-based nonprofit. 

The Dinner and Dancing Benefit will be hosted at Charlie’s on Main in Oregon, WI, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Owner and chef, Dave Heide, has been a long supporter of Madison Reading Project, and he graciously offered to host this fun event. The 1920’s theme fits the restaurant perfectly due to the aesthetics of the vintage building. Fred Astaire Madison East will have professional dancers performing and teaching partygoers a few dance moves. Yahara Bay Distillery will be on hand serving 1920’s-themed cocktails and tastings. Fittingly, the restaurant also has a speakeasy complete with a hidden door tucked within a bookcase.

The prix fixe dinner is $65 and includes a three-course dinner, dancing, beverages, tax and gratuity. Benefit proceeds will go directly to the Madison Reading Project's book program. Tickets are going quickly, so be sure to get yours soon! Tickets are available by calling Charlie’s on Main at 608.291.2255 or via madison-reading-project.ticketleap.com/time-to-drink-champagne-and-dance-on-tables--benefit-for-madiso/.

In its second year working with vulnerable children in Dane County, Madison Reading Project has learned a great deal about literacy and low-income families. “Over two-thirds of children living in poverty do not own books,” says Rowan Childs, founder of Madison Reading Project. “We want to get books and reading materials to them to keep.” Seeing the huge need for reading materials for many families and organizations, MRP has expanded its services to help those in need. The benefit dinner will help raise funds for book giving programs.  

“Our goal is to give over 5000 books to kids this year,” explains Childs. “We are aiming to give new and gently used books to organizations and schools. Books that are donated are sorted and organized by volunteers and are categorized so we can distribute reading materials that kids will find interesting and at the right reading levels.” Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics show that when kids pick their own books, they are more likely to want to read them. By letting kids select their own books, Madison Reading Project is hoping to instill a love of reading and more experiences with books and magazine pages in hands. 

Madison Reading Project set their goal in January and have reached 3000 books at the beginning of April. The group is on track to reach 4000 by the end of the month. Book drives hosted by individuals, companies large and small and churches have helped the nonprofit amass the books. The nonprofit shares a donation center with another literacy nonprofit, Magazine Literacy. “Volunteers have been helping to sort and organize the books just like a mini library,” says assistant director, Carrie Castree. “We have already been giving books out to groups such as Box of Balloons, Road Home, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Early Headstart, Northside Elementary, Lowell Elementary and Wright Middle School. 

Madison Reading Project isn’t slowing down; plans are to strengthen and grow so that many more children, schools and organizations within SW Wisconsin can get their hands on reading materials.