PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED, WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED, BEST SELLING BRITISH AUTHOR, ERIN HUNTER: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 9:00am, Hughes Center Board Room, Russellville Arkansas to kick off WARRIORS DAY!
Emmy Cherry, age 10, died in the Tornado that ravaged Atkins and 120 miles of Arkansas, on February 5, 2008. But she will live on, as a character in the pages of her favorite book series…..WARRIORS, by Erin Hunter.
Emmy’s last 5th grade school report, was entitled: "My Favorite Author: Erin Hunter".
When Erin Hunter heard about Emmy’s last report, and her admiration for the Warriors Series, the author sent an entire set of books to Atkins Middle School. Erin Hunter was touched by the outpouring of compassion from Online Warriors fans from all over the world. Erin Hunter soon announced that Emmy would live on in her favorite books as a character in the internationally acclaimed best selling WARRIORS series. Emmy will be a cat named Brightspirit.
Erin Hunter will end her North American Tour, this month, (already underway!) in Russellville, Arkansas, on her personal vacation…. to bring awareness to Literacy in Arkansas, with a festival for Arkansas children,WARRIORS DAY!
September 18, 2008
*Erin Hunter TEA
*170 middle school children from PopeCounty
*Met her challenge to read 16 books this summer
September 19, 2008
*Erin Hunter will speak 5 times at local schools
*Atkins
*Pottsville
*Russellville Middle School (3 times) (with kids bussed in from other schools)
September 20, 2008 10:00 am HughesCommunity Center
WARRIORS DAY-Literacy Festival
*Pope County Literacy Council & Pope County Library— will give every child a free book, 25 boxes of these donated by the author, mailed from the United Kingdom for this festival!
*Pet Show: especially for warrior cats, but also dogs and other animals (trophies purchased and awarded by the Erin Hunter, author!)
*Art Contest (kids can still enter at River Valley Art Center up until September 14!)
*Writing Contest;
*Play, written by Erin Hunter for our community, and performed by Russellville High School Drama Department on stage at the festival.
*Quiz Bowl, based on the Warriors books
* Fitness assessment and Warrior competition, and obstacle course supervised by Maxx Nutrition and Fitness, and MAXX hard core speed and excelleration
*The Equestrian Zone -- pony rides, and demonstrations of equine therapy for kids
* Local vets and groomers will teach children animal care
*A professional Magic Show
*A demonstration and Educational show about wild animals by Arkansas State Parks
*A Interactive Science Project, presented by local Science Teachers, with fun and prizes
* Storm preparedness and other child safety concerns, including booths from the Attorney General’s office, and Arkansas Tech University’s SERT, and the Red Cross
*Silent, Live and online auctions raising money for Bright Spirit Relief Fund, an endowment set up under Community Foundation, that supports charities relating to Storm preparedness; literacy/education; and animal awareness. One project the Charity will help finance, is a public storm shelter in Atkins.
*A reasonable lunch of $3 per person, with thanks to corporate sponsors Tyson, Coca Cola, Walmart, and many local business sponsors.
*Erin Hunter Book signing
*And many other activities, fun, food and games!
*All events are FREE!
We are asking your help in inviting children of all ages to join the fun, get a free book, meet Erin Hunter and discover the joy of reading!
For more information, contact Alderman Bill Eaton, chairman of the planning committee; or Lynn Wiman at Vintage Books, vintagebooks@centurytel.net, 479-880-2152; or Dr. Donna White at Arkansas TechUniversity, English Department dwhite@atu.edu.
Meet Erin Hunter at the charity’s website, www.brightspiritrelieffund.com. Or visit her official website: www.warriorcats.com.
ERIN HUNTER HAS AGREED TO DO A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 9:00am, Saturday, September 20th, at the Hughes Center Board Room. She has devoted an hour to talking with the press, photographs, and discussing her desire to help us shine a light on Literacy in Arkansas. We would like to invite all of you to attend this press conference prior to the start of WARRIORS DAY!
