The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation

The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation is an innovative partnership of educators, librarians, businesses, and volunteers, focused on promoting literacy by using the magic of live horses and books by Walter Farley to spark the imagination of first grade students so they will want to learn to read, and to motivate fourth grade students so they will come to learn the joy of reading.

Description:
The program was conceived in 1999 by Farley’s son, Tim, and Mark Miller, owner of Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction in Kissimmee, Florida. Friends for more than thirty years, Tim and Mark share a common interest in encouraging children to read. Tim knows the influence his father’s books have had on millions of children, and Mark grew up and remains in the company of horses -- a winning combination for a program designed to motivate children to read.

The program introduces children in first grades to reading their very own book and encourages a horse interaction by allowing them to learn about and pet a pony that is brought to their school. Later, the children attend a horse day event where they learn more about horses and have an opportunity to read to their favorite horse.
The fourth grade program continues the legacy of reading by providing each child with their own copy of The Black Stallion, a universally recognized children’s classic as well as an introduction to the critically acclaimed 1979 movie of the same name.
The Program concludes with a trip to the live equine theatre show produced by Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction, featuring the Black Stallion.

The idea is to bring reading to life, and encourage children to become lifelong readers.

Contact people:

Glenda Laveck, Program Director, (phone), (email) Annie Seay, Communications Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (407) 465-5593

Address:

3081 Arabian Nights Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bslf-online.org

Miscellaneous Information

Does this agency typically accept court-ordered assignments?
	No
Do you accept volunteers at night and on weekends?
	Yes
Do you accept groups of volunteers?
	Yes

Last updated on December 24, 2009