Readers are now being recruited for a read-a-thon, during which all 748 pages of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be read continuously and out loud.
In the process, readers will support the Desert Island Supply Co. (DISCO), a creative writing program based in Woodlawn that offers free writing workshops for Birmingham area children.
The read-a-thon will be from 6 a.m. July 22 to 3 p.m. July 24 at the Emmet O’Neal Library. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
In the year and a half since DISCO began, its volunteers have worked with hundreds of students across the region, from Mountain Brook to Tarrant and Woodlawn to West End.
This summer, DISCO began renovating an old pharmacy in Woodlawn. The storefront space will serve as DISCO’s main tutoring and writing center. Funds raised from the read-a-thon will help complete the renovation.
DISCO’s fundraising goal for this event is $60,000.
Readers can create or join a fundraising team and participate with family, organizations or companies. Prizes will be awarded to the top individual and team fundraisers as well as to the readers with the best costumes and the most aplomb.
Also, there will be a Hogwarts Food and Craft Fair July 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. The fair will feature butterbeer, a wand-making booth and other fun Hogwartsian activities.
The read-a-thon will also include an appearance at the July 23 Pepper Place Saturday Market and an appearance by a mystery reader who shall not be named who will read the book’s final pages.
For more information, visit www.desertislandsupplyco.com/harry-potter
