FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 7, 2000 CONTACT: Anne Murr, (515) 271-3982 GIVE THE GIFT OF LITERACY - VOLUNTEER IN THE NEW YEAR Reading the newspaper...helping your child with homework...writing a letter to a loved one...using a street map...taking a test to improve your job classification. These are things that many of us take for granted. But, one in three Des Moines residents lacks the literacy skills to attempt these tasks, according to a 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey. "In the New Year, give the gift of literacy," said Anne Murr, coordinator of the Drake Adult Literacy Center, which needs additional volunteers to meet the needs of area residents. Volunteers at the Drake Adult Literacy Center meet twice a week for an hour, one-to-one, with an adult seeking to improve his or her life through improved literacy skills. All volunteers receive training and on-going information and support. The Adult Literacy Center is located in Drake's School of Education, 3206 University Ave. Call (515) 271-3982 for more information or send inquiries to anne.murr@drake.edu. "In addition, if you know someone who has limited literacy skills, tell him or her to call me," Murr said. "He or she may not know that help is available."