(BLACK PR WIRE) – MIAMI – The Miami Children’s Initiative (MCI) is putting a new twist on Halloween. In a huge show of support for Liberty City children, South Florida’s top community figures will don costumes for MCI’s “Character Day.” Charles R. Drew Elementary School will host the afternoon event promoting literacy and reading enjoyment to students and parents. The day will feature local leaders reading “Where the Wild Things Are!” to children from pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade.

“Character Day” takes place Monday, October 31, 2011 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Charles R. Drew Elementary, located at 1775 NW 60th Street in Miami, Florida. It will also feature an on-site parade with performances by the Northwestern Drumline. Character Day is a one-of-a-kind event that will foster the excitement and love of reading by really engaging parents and children of Liberty City.

“’Character Day’ is designed to foster each child’s creativity and excitement about reading while encouraging parents, teachers, and children to use the holiday as an educational experience,” said Renee S. Ward, president/CEO of Miami Children’s Initiative. “In a community where reading scores are lower than the national average, we want every child participating to experience the joy in imaginative stories and books.”

The line-up of “Character Day” guest readers includes (but is not limited to):

● Florida Senator Oscar Braynon, II, District 33
● Florida Representative Daphne Campbell, District 108
● Florida Representative Cynthia Stafford, District 109
● Florida Representative Dwight Bullard, District 118
● Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2
● Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, District 3
● School Board Member Raquel A. Regalado, District 6, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
● Executive Director Alfredo Mesa, Florida Marlins Community Foundation
● President Dr. Henry Lewis, III, Florida Memorial University
● Mayor Tomas Regalado, City of Miami
● Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County (TENTATIVE)
● Vice President Alonzo Mourning, Player Programs, the Miami HEAT (TENTATIVE)

About The Miami Children’s Initiative:
The Miami Children’s Initiative (MCI) is a 501(c) (3) organization providing the families of Liberty City with a network of quality education, accessible health care, youth development programs, opportunities for employment, safe neighborhoods and more. Through fundraising, advocacy and education, MCI supports its vision; lending its hands to build a prosperous community for Liberty City’s children and families who live in the 33127, 33142, 33147 and 33150 zip code areas. In collaboration with the Liberty City community, local network service providers and its funding partners, MCI is transforming the Liberty City community by changing the “life direction” of Liberty City’s children and youth.

WHO: MIAMI CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE
WHAT: “CHARACTER DAY”
WHEN: MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011 ● 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
WHERE: CHARLES R. DREW ELEMENTARY ● 1775 NW 60TH ST. ● MIAMI, FL 33142