BUTLER TWP — The Butler Rotary Literacy Luncheon raised more than $10,000 for the Butler County Community College Adult Literacy program, which is twice the goal amount set by organizers.

The event, held on Sunday afternoon in Founders Hall at BC3, saw groups decorate their individual tables in themes according to a book of the group's choosing.

An elaborate “Nutcracker” table with dozens of Christmas bric-a-brac, a “Wild” table complete with a flickering paper fire on top of mini-logs and multitool eating utensils, and a “Murder on the Orient Express” table with a small train, ornate china and glassware with mustaches, and placecards naming the classic's characters were among the 25 round tables creatively decorated by various groups.

Before lunch, those in attendance could drop tickets into basket raffles, munch on cheese and fruit, or grab a few samples from the cookie table.

But Sue Edwards, the chairman of the PM Rotary Literacy Lunch committee, said the most important activity before everyone sat down was to vote on the best table by dropping cash into jars marked with each table number.

All proceeds from the event went to BC3's Adult Literacy program, which prepares residents to take their GED by offering classes and scholarships, as well as other services.

One speaker at the luncheon was Krissandra Wiles, who is taking the classes students are required to pass before receiving the scholarship money to pay for the GED test.

Wiles has passed three of the four tests plus her GED-ready exam. Each test costs $30, which Edwards said is unaffordable for many students.

“The scholarships have been huge for me,” Wiles said. “I may have only gotten one test done by now.

“Some people think $30 is not much, but it's a lot to me.”

Wiles hopes to become a phlebotomist and eventually earn her degree in business management.

“Thank you for your contributions,” Wiles told the smiling crowd. “If it wasn't for all of you, it wouldn't be possible for people like me to get as far as we have.”

A round of applause followed Wiles' comments as she took her seat.

Barb Gade, the grant director for the Adult Literacy program, told the crowd that 17 people have earned their GEDs since July, and 49 for the program's last fiscal year.

She said basic computer skills, household budgeting, English as a Second Language and a tutoring and GED program at the Butler County Prison are among the programs at Adult Literacy.

“Our goal is to help people become working, functioning members of the community,” Gade said.

Those who attended the luncheon marveled at each table's decorations as they moved around the room.

“It's a wonderful cause, literacy and reading,” said Rosemary Keasey, whose book club decorated their table in the theme from “Pride and Prejudice.”

Elizabeth Feder, Keasey's daughter and book club mate, appreciated seeing the community come together for literacy.

“It's a really nice event for a really important cause,” she said.

Meg Ashenden, the student success coordinator at BC3's Adult Literacy program, decorated two tables using the books “News of the World” and “Where the Crawdads Sing.”

She said lots of young adults in the community who have not graduated from high school want to change their lives, but can't afford the $100 to take the GED.

“This provides an opportunity for them to get their GED and move on with their lives,” Ashenden said.

Joanne Tisdale, who is a board member for the Mars Public Library, pointed out the items on her table that related to the children's book “Goodnight Moon.”

“We have the kittens and mittens, and house and mouse, and three bears and a chair,” Tisdale said.

She hopes the event becomes an annual one in the future.

“The (decorated) table idea is fabulous,” she said.

Tisdale added that the Mars library recently added a tutoring room for students.

Tom Bennett, a Butler native who authored “Burning Under,”said he grew up in the shadow of BC3 and even spent some time there writing parts of his book.

“The college was kind of my backyard playground as a kid,” he said.

Bennett read a chapter from “Burning Under” and sold signed copies at the event.

Edwards declared the Literacy Luncheon a success, and said while the event started off slow in December, participants had to be turned away at the end because Founders Hall had reached its maximum occupation.

“We're really happy and hope to continue this,” she said.

Edwards said she thinks the event was popular because community members see the need for literacy and to assist people to become self-sufficient.

“I hope this gives everyone the opportunity to have good employment and be productive citizens,” she said.

The jars for voting for the best table raised $888 alone, and the trophy was taken by the “Wild” table.

BC3 President Nick Neupauer said he prayed that the snow would end so the Literacy Luncheon could go on Sunday afternoon.

“Today's event symbolizes just what it means to be the community's college,” Neupauer said of the Adult Literacy program.

He said he was glad that the weather allowed the luncheon to proceed.

“The sun always shines on Butler County Community College,” he said.