Canadians encouraged to Sing for Literacy and celebrate activities for Family Literacy Day® 2010

(Toronto, ON, October 22, 2009) – ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and founding Family Literacy Day (FLD) sponsor Honda Canada are pleased to announce that an official “singing” theme will be featured as part of this year’s national FLD campaign. Sing for Literacy encourages Canadians from coast to coast to sing at various Family Literacy Day events and help raise funds by pledging online via www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca. Family Literacy Day events can take place in homes, at schools and classrooms, in community centres, or even unexpected places.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s karaoke or campfire-style, singing as a family provides a joyful way to expand spoken vocabulary and creates a strong bond,” says Margaret Eaton, President of ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “Singing encourages learning patterns of words, rhymes and rhythms, and is strongly connected to language skills. It’s an easy way to support literacy, particularly when the funds are needed now more than ever.”

Money raised through online pledging will provide much needed support for literacy programs, reaching thousands of Canadian adult learners in the community, at home and in the workplace.

In 2009, more than 280,000 Canadians participated in FLD activities, which featured a successful Guinness World Record attempt for “Most Children Reading with An Adult, Multiple Locations.”

“Honda Canada is proud to be the founding sponsor of Family Literacy Day, now into its 12th year,” says Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice President, Honda Canada. “We recognize the importance of supporting literacy activities in the home and at work, and the significant impact this has on overall literacy levels in Canada. Honda values giving back to the communities where our associates, dealers and customers live, work and play.”

Established in 1999 by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada, Family Literacy Day (every January 27) is an annual initiative developed to celebrate parents and children reading and learning together, and encourage Canadians to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity every day.

To pledge, register, or find your local Family Literacy Day event, go to www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

- 30 -

About ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation promotes literacy as a life-long skill. The national charity envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase the skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. To learn more, visit www.abc-canada.org.

About Honda Canada
Honda is the world’s preeminent maker of engines for automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment. With 135 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda attracts more than 23 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX and MDX at its two assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario. Honda also manufactures engines at a third plant, also in Alliston. Now in its 40th year of operations in Canada, Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3,200,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Nearly half of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2008 were made in Canada – a higher percentage than any other vehicle manufacturer in Canada.

For more information, please contact:
Ashley Tilley, Communications Co-ordinator
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Tel: 416-218-0010, ext. 127
atilley@abc-canada.org

Nikki Luscombe, Communications Manager
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Tel: 416 218-0010 x122
nluscombe@abc-canada.org