Barbara Bush Literacy

The Palm Beach home of Frances and Jeffrey Fisher was the setting for an elegant evening honoring readers and reading.

The ''Palm Beach Celebration of Reading'' took place Nov. 15 and recognized a new literacy collaboration between the Barbara Bush Family Literacy Foundation and the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, where Fisher serves as board chairwoman.

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The evening began with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and remarks from the hostess, who offered a recap of the sculpture garden's celebration of Literacy Day.

“Literacy Day is the longest-standing educational event at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, celebrating its 15th year,” said Fisher. “The mission is specifically designed to inspire every student to embrace the impact of becoming a lifelong reader. This year we were proud to partner with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Our organizations have a shared interest in improving the lives of children through reading. Our hope is that the event ignites a fire inside the children to not only continue reading throughout their lives, but to enjoy it.”

During the seated dinner, guests heard from Anita McBride, author and former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush. McBride discussed her upcoming book First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies.

British A. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and a member of the gardens’ National Advisory Council, moderated the presentation. More than 75 people atended.

Proceeds benefit the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is a non-profit foundation established in 1977 by the late Ann Weaver Norton with a mission to enrich lives with nature, art and history.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was established by former First Lady Barbara Bush in 1989 with the mission to create a stronger, more equitable America in which everyone can read, write and comprehend ''in order to navigate the world with dignity.'' To learn more, visit www.BarbaraBush.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Society: Fishers host 'Palm Beach Celebration of Reading'