Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware Counties has received a $10,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, funding that local leaders say will help sustain programs serving adults seeking to improve reading, writing and English-language skills.
The award is part of the foundation’s nationwide literacy initiative, which distributed $16 million this year to organizations in 48 states where Dollar General operates. The maximum grant awarded to any individual program was $10,000.
The local nonprofit serves approximately 50 adult learners each year, offering free and confidential instruction through trained volunteer tutors, many of whom are current or retired educators. Lessons are tailored to individual goals, ranging from learning English and strengthening literacy skills to preparing for employment, obtaining a driver’s license or pursuing further education.
Thomas Beattie, the organization’s treasurer. said the grant will provide critical support for the organization’s operating budget in the coming year.
The Dollar General grant will be a mainstay of our budget for the coming year, he said.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation was established in 1993 by Cal Turner and Cal Turner Jr. to honor Dollar General co-founder J. L. Turner. Turner, the son of a farmer, had only a third-grade education and struggled with literacy throughout his life. The foundation was created to expand educational opportunities for others facing similar challenges.
Each year, the foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center, supporting adult, family, youth and summer literacy programs.
For Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware Counties, the funding arrives as demand for adult education services continues to span a wide range of needs, from workforce development to personal enrichment — helping learners gain skills that can open doors to employment, education and greater independence.
For more information visit https://lvodc.org/
