Board Games

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/27/10 -- Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Family Literacy Day founding sponsor Honda Canada will proudly join thousands of Canadian adults and children to celebrate Family Literacy Day today. More than 1,000 families, schools, libraries, literacy organizations and community groups are holding events this week to celebrate the importance of family literacy.

"Congratulations to the thousands of Canadians who led and participated in literacy-themed Family Literacy Day events," said Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA. "Family Literacy Day is a good reminder for all Canadians to set aside 15 minutes of family time to read, play games, sing or follow a recipe together, and really practice good literacy habits."

Family Literacy Day was developed by ABC CANADA and Honda Canada in 1999 to celebrate families reading and learning together on a daily basis. Canadian author Robert Munsch, Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day, has been an ambassador for family literacy for over six years. Munsch celebrated at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto today with several school groups and their parents, who all took part in a sing-along. The Royal Conservatory's Music Champions program debuted their original song that was created for Family Literacy Day.

"I surf on literacy," said Robert Munsch. "I am well-known for my storytelling and writing but I also love to sing, and I do so in a lot of my books."

In honour of Family Literacy Day, ABC CANADA offers these tips for families to practice literacy every day:

--  Set aside at least one hour every night where the TV is off and the
    whole family takes time to read or do a crossword puzzle.
--  Introduce a family board game night where everyone is encouraged to read
    instructions, spell words and keep score.
--  Offer to proofread homework, spell-check a paragraph, or verify math
    answers after your child has done the work.
--  Visit your public library every week.
--  Get in the habit of giving books or magazine subscriptions as birthday
    gifts or on other special occasions.

"Honda Canada is proud to support Family Literacy Day, and to have watched it grow over the last 12 years has been very rewarding," says Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice President, Honda Canada. "Thanks to the enthusiasm and efforts of ABC CANADA, literacy organizations and community partners, this national initiative has supported an important investment made by our Honda family - an investment in literacy and learning."

For more information on Family Literacy Day and to showcase your 2010 event on our website, please visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

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 or join our Facebook page.

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. Now in its 40th year of operation in Canada, Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic sedan and coupe, the Acura MDX and ZDX, and the Canadian-exclusive Acura CSX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario. Honda also produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines at its third plant, also located in Alliston. Since 1986, Honda has built more than 5,300,000 cars and trucks at its Ontario assembly facilities. More than half of all vehicles sold in Canada last year were made in Canada.

The Honda Canada Foundation and its corporate entities provide annual funding to registered non-profit charities across Canada in support of safety, education, engineering and sustaining of the environment for (children and) youth.