September 8 has been celebrated as International Literacy Day since 1966. Room to Read is one of many global non-profit organizations committed to improving literacy by focusing on reaching children in developing countries throughout Asia and Africa. The basic belief of Room to Read is "world change starts with educated children."

The local chapter extends this focus to children throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. One of the local initiatives has been to facilitate Read-a-thons with Title 1 schools. The chapter members raise the money, and students do extra-curricular reading to "earn" it and designate which Room to Read project it will support. In just two years Dallas area students have read more than 320,000 pages raising over $32,000 to assist in the education of the kids in Asia and Africa.

On September 26, the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter is hosting a fundraising event called Booktoberfest at the Lakewood Brewing Company brewery. This is a great way to celebrate International Literacy Day, back to school season and Oktoberfest! There will be special brews available for tasting, a tour of the brewery, food and live music. The proceeds from this event will help support Read-a-thon programs at Peak Academy in Dallas and will ultimately help children in the ten countries across Asia and Africa where Room to Read works. Event sponsors include Lakewood Brewing Company, State & Allen Uptown, Liberty Burger, Ted Hume III DDS, Slalom Consulting, Craft & Growler, Bowlounge, Central Market, The Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas, The Libertine, and The Bottle Shop. Tickets are $25 if purchased in advance (https://booktoberfest.eventbrite.com) or $32 at the door.