PC READS blends literacy advocacy and celebration at annual Gin & Phonics fundraiser

PC Reads will host their annual Gin & Phonics fundraiser April 24. Photo: Adam Winger // Unsplash

PARK CITY, Utah — PC READS will host its annual fundraising event, Gin & Phonics, on Friday, April 24, at Woodward Park City. The event is the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser and supports its work advocating for the recognition and education of students with dyslexia.

Founded in 2014 by two mothers, PC READS works to improve literacy outcomes through early identification of neurodiverse students and by advocating for effective reading interventions and classroom accommodations. The organization provides support through its Advocate Program, MIND Youth Program, and Elevating Literacy Program.

The Gin & Phonics event includes food, drinks, live music, and speeches by PC READS high school MIND Mentors. The night will open with the 2026 Elevating Literacy Award presentation honoring this year’s recipient, Joanna Hammel, an interventionist at McPolin Elementary School who provides targeted academic and behavioral support for students needing assistance beyond regular classroom instruction.

Executive Director Elissa Aten announced a $100,000 fundraising goal for this year’s event. She said PC READS is committed to supporting families through its no-cost advocacy model, which includes dyslexia screenings for children as young as five.

“We believe early identification and intervention are key to helping students succeed,” Aten said. “Each year, our Advocate Team works directly with more than 100 local students.”

Last year, PC READS launched a Reading Conference Grant program to help local educators attend national literacy conferences. Aten said the program aims to strengthen reading instruction across classrooms.

“Understanding the science of reading benefits all students, including those with learning differences,” she said. “While costly, these conferences offer invaluable opportunities to strengthen reading instruction. We were proud to send three teachers to The Reading League conference in Chicago, and with additional resources, we hope to expand similar opportunities to even more educators.”

One of last year’s grant recipients, Parley’s Park Elementary School kindergarten teacher Amanda West, said the experience provided practical, research-based strategies.

“The sessions were remarkably comprehensive, covering all the foundational pillars of literacy,” West said. “The presentations provided concrete takeaways that I immediately implemented in my classroom.”

Tickets are available at pcreads.org. While silent auction bidding is limited to attendees, opportunity drawing tickets are open to the public and include prizes such as a two-night stay at The Pendry.