CHERYL CROWLEY

Cheryl Crowley has been most successful in achieving a consistent media campaign that continues to raise awareness of the adult and children’s literacy needs in one of Florida’s largest counties, Palm Beach County. As a result of Crowley’s volunteer service to the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition and her outstanding public relations to promote literacy, she has raised the public’s awareness that illiteracy is everyone’s problem. People now understand that it causes so many of society’s social problems, and that everyone’s involvement is needed to help solve the problem.

Crowley was responsible for all media and public relations for the 2002 and 2004 Read Together countywide reading campaign which resulted in 20,000 – 30,000 people in Palm Beach County reading the same book at the same time. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1993 and served as Board President from 2000-2002. Crowley has chaired and continues to serve on the Communications Committee, Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee Committee, Nominating Committee and Executive Committee. She is currently acting as co-chairperson for the 15th annual Love of Literacy Luncheon that typically has close to 800 guests each year. Crowley also chaired the 1997 Love of Literacy Luncheon that featured Former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Crowley’s partnership with the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition to promote literacy awareness and services has opened up whole new worlds of opportunity for those who have called the Literacy Hotline and received help. She continues to volunteer her time to serve as the Literacy Coalition’s media specialist. Crowley also plays a strong role in the planning and promoting of all major literacy events. She is responsible for frequent contacts with the major television, print and radio media and helps coordinate their efforts so that a cohesive, coordinated program of public relations and communications will be delivered to spread the message of literacy to the widest possible audience.

As a result of Crowley’s media outreach for the Literacy Coalition over the past decade, an excess of 13,000 adult learners and more than 6,000 volunteer tutors have called the literacy hotline and received information on literacy programs. In addition, 20,000 – 30,000 people participated in Read Together Palm Beach County – One Book, One Community, which was noted as the most successful countywide reading campaign in the state of Florida.

Crowley’s work in bringing together other media professionals through the Communications Committee to promote literacy in Palm Beach County has brought awareness to thousands of adults, children and families about the many programs available in the community.