Literacy Celebrated at IKEA Tampa Oct. 18 – 25, 2009

This month marks the 30th year the IKEA BILLY bookcase — one of the cornerstones of the IKEA concept — has supported a better everyday life for many people through its use in home libraries by millions of families throughout the world. To commemorate this milestone, IKEA Tampa is partnering with other Tampa Bay organizations to help all families, regardless of income, build a home library of their own, as well as to encourage reading through special events in the store from Sunday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 25.

On Monday, Oct. 19 at 10am, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio will proclaim Oct. 19 – 25, 2009 “BILLY Book Week” in Tampa prior to reading a story to all DeSoto Elementary School second-grade students at the IKEA restaurant. Following the Mayor’s book reading, the children will stay for a free BILLY Brunch.

Throughout the week, Tampa Bay area mascots will lead BILLY Book Readings:

Sunday, Oct. 18 · 2pm to 4pm: University of South Florida’s Rocky the Bull & friends

Tuesday, Oct. 20 · 6pm to 7pm: Tampa Bay Rays’ Raymond & friends

Saturday, Oct. 24 · 2pm to 4pm: It’s All About Kids’ Buzz the Literacy Bee & friends

Sunday, Oct. 25 · 2pm to 4pm: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Thunderbug & friends

All story events take place in the BILLY Book Room, located in the IKEA Showroom Wall Units & Media Storage department (2nd level).

In Småland, IKEA’s free, supervised play area for children 37” to 54” tall, kids can enjoy the classic Norwegian tale of Three Billy Goats Gruff and special crafts from Oct. 18 – 25, all day, every day. Plus, from Oct. 19 – 25, all children 12 years old and under, eat free in the IKEA Restaurant!

BILLY Book Drive... From Oct. 18 – 25, customers, alongside IKEA Tampa co-workers, are encouraged to bring new and gently-used books for children, tweens, and teens to the store. In partnership with DeSoto Elementary School, a Tampa Title I school located near IKEA Tampa, books collected will be sorted and classified according to grade and reading levels and then donated to DeSoto Elementary School children to help the children and their families develop a home library of their own. IKEA will donate five BILLY bookcases to the school for their own library.

A second BILLY Book Drive collection site is located at Century Buick Pontiac GMC, 3308 West Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.

A birthday gift for all Billys... Also from Oct. 18 – 25, in celebration of the BILLY bookcase 30th birthday, any person named “Billy” who is 18 years or older and also celebrating a birthday between Oct. 18 – 25, can receive a $30 IKEA Gift Card (redeemable with valid ID at the IKEA Self Serve Check Out). Plus, everyone visiting IKEA Tampa Oct. 18 – 25 can enter to win two other BILLY birthday gifts: “Win a Buick Enclave for a Day” or “$100 IKEA Gift Card.”