Canadians encouraged to celebrate Family Literacy Day 2010 with a karaoke performance at home, school or in their community

(Toronto, ON, January 5, 2010) – ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Family Literacy Day founding sponsor Honda Canada are encouraging Canadians to Sing for Literacy this Family Literacy Day by offering popular English and French songs as free karaoke videos in partnership with The KARAOKE Channel. The free videos are accessible online at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca throughout January 2010.

“We are thrilled to offer a fun resource that will inspire families to sing for literacy on Family Literacy Day,” says Margaret Eaton, President of ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “Singing together is a fun way to strengthen language skills, and an easy way to involve every family member.” Research has shown that music can be an effective tool for developing reading and writing skills.

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. 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. Family Literacy Day sing-alongs can take place in homes, schools and classrooms, community centres, or even unexpected places.

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 to encourage Canadians to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity every day. This year, more than 300,000 Canadians are expected to participate in Family Literacy Day events including pyjama party readings, storytelling circles, treasure hunts and campfire sing-alongs.

Family Literacy Day participants are also encouraged to visit www.thekaraokechannel.com where they will find thousands more songs to sing.

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

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About ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation:
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity’s initiatives and campaigns are focused on bringing about meaningful change to raise Canadian adult literacy skills. It envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase those skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abc-canada.org, follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/ABC_CANADA> or join our Facebook page. <http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-CANADA-Literacy-Foundation/75250827617?ref=s>

About Honda Canada
Honda is the world’s pre-eminent 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.

About The KARAOKE Channel
The KARAOKE Channel is the owner of the largest library of licensed karaoke songs in the world, dedicated to delivering karaoke to the masses, on TV, online, for download and on mobile (iPhone/iPod touch). Visit http://www.thekaraokechannel.com for more information. The KARAOKE Channel is a property of Stingray Digital.

For more information, please contact:
Ashley Tilley, Communications Coordinator
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