Tickets still available for PC READS’ Gin and Phonics event

PC READS previous years Volunteer Mentors including previous Gin and Phonics event key note speaker Chad Starling. Photo: Courtesy of Elissa Aten

PARK CITY, Utah — PC READS will host its third-annual Gin and Phonics fundraiser on Saturday, May 13. Although the event has sold out in previous years, there are still tickets available for this year.

Elissa Aten, a longtime local mom with a background as an attorney, founded the nonprofit PC READS and serves as its executive director. PC READS stands for:

• Recognizing
• Educating
• and Advocating for
• Dyslexic
• Students

“Each year we receive more requests for assistance and reaching our fundraising goals will help PC READS increase our professional development grant program and also continue to provide our meaningful family advocacy services at no cost,” Aten said in a statement. “We are excited to be holding this fun event at Woodward, and thankful to the community for their ongoing support.”

This year’s featured guest speaker will be Jared Blank, a public speaker, author, coach and athlete, who has run the World Marathon Challenge (seven marathons on seven continents in seven days) to raise awareness and $50,000 for the International Dyslexia Foundation.

Bari Nan Rothchild is a PC READS staff member and a Certified Dyslexia Advocate. She told TownLift, “PC READS is a tremendous resource in our community, and most of our services are provided free of charge. We are seeing more families than ever before. In the past two years we have tested 80 students for dyslexia. Our fundraiser allows us to provide these high-quality services to families who need them.”

Many of the students involved in PC READS become volunteer mentors within the program to other children who may have learning disabilities.

Gin and Phonics will start at 7 p.m. at Woodward Park City. The deadline to purchase tickets is May 10, and general donations may be made here for those who cannot attend the event.