Each year, proceeds from the Annual Congressional Baseball Game, totalling nearly $100,000, benefit the Washington Literacy Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Metropolitan Police Clubhouses and a selection of charities chosen by the game’s host, the Bowie Baysox.

The following pieces were written by adults who have been aided by the Washington Literacy Council.

To my Tutors and the Staff at the Washington Literacy Council:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their love and support. People like you make reading, writing, and spelling worth striving for. Since I became a student at the WLC I can read, write and spell better than ever. I know there is still lots of hard work ahead but I feel that with your support and dedication anything is possible for me. I would like to give a great big thanks to my tutors for sharing their love and knowledge. Ami, Phyllis, Gayle and Mike — you guys are the best!

Robert, always your student

Topic: Suppose you got the chance to teach something to someone, what would you teach and why?

If I were to have the chance to teach something to someone, it would be reading. Reading is a very important tool — the key to unlocking the world. It’s the foundation of a better future for yourself and your family.

Also, I know how it feels not to be able to read. I have walked on both sides of the track myself. I was locked out of learning many things until I found the courage to get help. Once I decided to take that step, I still had to get over many hurdles to find the right program for me. The Washington Literacy Council was that program.

There is another reason why I would choose to teach reading if I had the chance: I think I know how to teach it. Because I learned to read as an adult, I know what other adults like me are up against and what they must go through. It’s definitely not easy. Frustration is a constant enemy but I would know how to encourage another learner. Plus, I would have the expert help of the WLC where volunteers are trained in the best ways to teach reading to adult learners.

My own life has changed in such a positive way since I learned to read, that I would choose to teach reading to someone else if I had the opportunity, and I would choose to teach it with the help of the Washington Literacy Council.

For more information on the Washington Literacy Council, contact the organization at (202) 387-9029 or visit https://www.washingtonliteracycouncil.org.

To learn more about Boys and Girls Clubs, contact the organization at (202) 397-2582 or visit https://www.bgcgw.org.