2nd Annual Lynn "Celebrate Literacy Day" to Honor Diane Patrick and Erin Van Otterloo on September 16

Operation Bootstrap, Inc., will honor the work of Diane Patrick, the First Lady of Massachusetts, and Erin Van Otterloo, Administrator of the Van Otterloo Family Foundation, with the Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award, at its Second Annual “Celebrate Literacy Day” on Tuesday evening, September 16.

The Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award recognizes those whose commitment, advocacy and passion for education and literacy have made an extraordinary contribution to people’s lives. Accepting the award on Mrs. Patrick’s behalf will be Sheridan Haines, the Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual & Domestic Violence.

The celebration will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the All Care Visiting Nurses and Hospice Rooftop at 210 Market Street in Lynn.

First Lady Diane Patrick has a distinguished record of professional and public service as a lawyer, teacher and active member of her community. As a partner in the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston since 1995, the First Lady has been able to combine her passion for education and her background in labor and employment law. As a former public school teacher, she knows first-hand that education is essential in workforce development, civic engagement, and building communities. She understands both the challenges and rewards of the classroom, and believes in the power of early-start education for pre-K and kindergarten children.

As the administrator of the Van Otterloo Family Foundation and a former educator, Erin Van Otterloo stewards the foundation’s stated mission “to provide support for educational enterprises that demonstrate innovation and excellence in teaching and learning while placing emphasis on the potential of all individuals, target unmet educational needs, or provide an exemplary educational program.” In the past two years, the Van Otterloo Foundation has been a primary supporter of Operation Bootstrap’s Career and College Readiness Program.

The evening will include light refreshments and beverages, entertainment and raffles. Tickets are $50 each in advance and $60 at the door and can be purchased in advance at Metro Credit Union, 475 Western Avenue in Lynn, or at Operation Bootstrap, 20 Wheeler Street, Suite 203, in Lynn.

For more information, contact Ashlie Busone at 781-599-8543, ext. 111, or at abusone@operationbootstrap.org.

About Operation Bootstrap
For over 35 years, Operation Bootstrap has provided educational services to people 16 years of age and older, with or without a diploma but reading below the ninth-grade level, and/or adults who need to improve their English language skills to succeed in our communities. The organization currently serves over 400 students and has a waiting list of over 1,500 adults. The program offers day and evening classes free of charge. The agency is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) division of Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS), and by donations from foundations and other contributions. Recognizing that one-third of the adult population in Lynn has less than a high school diploma and/or has limited English proficiency, Operation Bootstrap spearheaded and provides leadership for The Lynn Literacy Campaign in cooperation with over 20 other agencies in the city. For more information, visit www.operationbootstrap.org.