MTV to Hold Benefit for Literacy Group

MTV is sponsoring a fund-raiser at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the UCLA Tennis Center to benefit Reading Is Fundamental, thought to be the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization.

Rap stars Coolio and Busta Rhymes, as well as Flea, the bassist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, will perform, an MTV spokesman said. They are also scheduled to participate in a basketball game with former Boston Celtics star Bill Walton and Brent Barry of the Los Angeles Clippers. Tickets, which cost $8 and $6 with student identification, may be purchased at the gate or through Ticketmaster.

Reading Is Fundamental will distribute 10.5 million books at 17,000 sites this year, largely in inner cities and rural areas, the spokesman said.