Trio named ‘Champions of Adult Literacy’ by Delco Literacy Council
CHESTER >> Delaware County Literacy Council holds its fourth annual Champions of Adult Literacy Fundraiser and Awards Reception from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the Ballroom of Harrah’s Racetrack and Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. Tickets cost $35 and include hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, gift-basket raffle, opportunities to donate in honor of the champions and student success stories. The event raises needed funds to provide free literacy services to local adults and to honor community members who have an impact on adults who may seek literacy services.
This year’s fundraiser honors extraordinary individuals who have made an impact on the lives of local immigrants. This year’s champions are:
• Greg Manfre, Ed.D. Dr. Manfre has worked in the Upper Darby School District for 25 years. In 2014, he became the first Director of Student Affairs and English Language Learner (ELL) Services, guiding the district’s efforts to facilitate “achievement of English proficiency and the academic standards” for students whose dominant language is not English. Currently, over 2200 students in the Upper Darby School District speak a language other than English, including 78 different languages and students from 59 different countries. Dr. Manfre helped forge an innovative partnership with the Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) to offer evening English classes at Upper Darby High School to the parents of the district’s ELL students. More than 200 Upper Darby adults have been served by this program so far.
• Vijai and Jyoti Gupta, of Jyoti Natural Foods. Mr. and Mrs. Gupta are champion husband and wife entrepreneurs who employ many immigrants at their Sharon Hill food-processing plant. Founded in 1979, Jyoti Natural Foods creates and packages nutritious heat-and-serve Indian foods to be sold in supermarkets. The flavorful recipes of registered dietitian Jyoti Gupta and the numerous patents of Vijai Gupta, including an innovative bean-cleaning technology, have helped the business grow. Vijai Gupta explained his willingness to employ immigrants in a March 30, 2016, Philadelphia Inquirer article, saying, “Why not help somebody?” The Guptas also often go the extra mile to help their immigrant employees succeed and navigate their lives in America, assisting with issues like child care and health care. Over the years, the Guptas have seen their employees and their families make great strides, with many college graduates among the children of Jyoti employees.
• Pennsylvania State Rep. Margo Davidson. Rep. Davidson, D-164, is the first woman and first African-American to represent Pennsylvania’s 164th District. Her district includes parts of Upper Darby Township and the boroughs of East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, Millbourne and Yeadon, so her constituents include many immigrants. Throughout her years in public service, Rep. Davidson has fought to stabilize communities and create jobs. Rep. Davidson serves on the Local Government, Commerce, and Finance committees, where she has authored and cosponsored legislation that supports small business growth and public safety and that minimizes the tax burden on the middle class and working families. She holds numerous outreach events so that she can be accessible to her constituents, including mobile office hours.
For tickets, visit www. delcoliteracy.org and scroll down to “Buy Champion Event Tickets,” or send a check to 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA 19013. For general information or event sponsorship information, call 610-876-4811.