Ballet will support children’s literacy

Support children’s literacy by attending a special ballet performance of “Alice in Wonderland” on Feb. 19.

“Ballet for Books: A Wonderland Miscellany to Benefit Children’s Literacy in Spokane,” hosted by Page Ahead, Ballet Spokane and Interplayers, will be at 2 p.m. at Interplayers, 174 S. Howard St.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Page Ahead, a nonprofit group that nurtures literacy for at-risk children by providing new books for children to keep and treasure, encouraging parents and community volunteers to read with children, hosting motivational reading events, and assisting schools and social service agencies with their programs.

For more information on Page Ahead, visit www.pageahead.org or call 789-3548.

Admission to the show is one new children’s book or $5 per person. Those who bring a new children’s book are invited to attend a Mad Hatter’s tea party hosted by Rocket Bakery after the show.

Jane Hession, the afternoon’s special host, will be in attendance at the tea party as will Ballet Spokane dancers.

Eat pizza for children

Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza, 14004 E. Indiana Ave., is hosting two Valentine’s Day events to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children-Spokane this month.

Through Feb. 14, the restaurant chain is selling paper hearts for a $1 donation to the hospital. Participants are encouraged to write personalized valentine messages on the hearts, which will be on display in the restaurant.

In addition, beginning Friday and ending Feb. 14, Boston’s will donate $1 to the hospital for every purchase of the restaurant’s special heart-shaped pizzas.

For more information on either event, call 927-4284.

The Shriners Hospital for Children provides free specialized medical care to children in need. Call 455-7844 for more information.

Smile for children

Have your teeth whitened now through March 31 by local dentists and benefit children through the Spokane Guilds’ School Foundation.

The foundation supports the Spokane Guilds’ School and Neuromuscular Center, which provides services to children with developmental disabilities, and their families. Cost is $99. Call 362-5437 for an appointment and for more information.