The Bobcats, along with Charlotte Reads, hosted an “International Literacy Day Reading Timeout” on September 8, 2004, at the First Ward Recreation Center.  Over 250 four and five-year-old children attended the International Literacy Day Celebration.  The kids enjoyed a performance by The Ki-Kiri-Ki’s, a bilingual performing group.  The Ki-Kiri-Ki’s read and performed several stories, including The Flute Player, Bark Jorge and Borreguita and Coyote.  Cookies and milk were also provided for the kids.  Bobcats' mascot Rufus Lynx made a surprise appearance at the end of the event.

International Literacy Day was created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1965 in an effort to bring attention to worldwide literacy issues and needs.  Each year, International Literacy Day is observed on September 8.  It is estimated that 860 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write. 

Charlotte Reads is a literacy advocacy coalition under the Advantage Carolina umbrella that seeks to showcase local literacy programs and solutions in an effort to elevate low literacy as one of the community’s most pressing social, economic and health issues.