Donations to the Literacy Suffolk program will go toward improving reading, writing skills

Recent statistics show that one in seven adults living in Suffolk County (Long Island, New York) are functionally illiterate.  Moreover, 75% of unemployed adults in the county are nonreaders and nearly 45% of adults living below the poverty level do not possess the basic reading and writing skills to improve their lives. 

With those statistics in mind and as a way of lending support toward the effort to battle illiteracy, Muller Martini Corp. of Hauppauge, Long Island has joined with the Book Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (BMI) to provide monetary donations to Literacy Suffolk – an organization that effects countywide change by working to improve individual literacy skills through the use of trained volunteers and by expanding community awareness.

BMI, a nationally recognized trade association of the book manufacturing industry, requested assistance from its membership locally, asking members to recommend worthy organizations.  Muller Martini, a provider of equipment used in book manufacturing and a BMI member, then sought out the Literacy Suffolk program as a donation recipient.  Muller Martini contributed $2,000 and BMI matched that amount.  Werner Naegeli, President and CEO of Muller Martini Corp., presented a $4,000 check to Christine Moriarty, Finance Director for Literacy Suffolk (see enclosed  photo). 

“Muller Martini is proud to have the opportunity to help support such a deserving cause.  It is particularly rewarding to be able to assist in the effort to improve literacy skills right here on Long Island where our company is based,” said Mr. Naegeli.  “We thank Literacy Suffolk for their outstanding and tireless work in providing a variety of literacy services to people throughout Suffolk County.”