First-timers, or "new-bees" are always amazed by how much fun the whole event is. It is a wonderful night and people really get into the spirit of it.
Adult Bee brings community together
The impact of low literacy touches everyone: No one knows that better than Literacy North Halton (LNH), a local non-profit agency.
In order to reinforce its mandate to raise awareness and funds for adult literacy programs in Milton and throughout North Halton, LNH is presenting the sixth annual Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee.
The popular local event is slated for May 7, 2009. Organizers are sending out a call for teams to dust off their dictionaries, get creative with costumes and register now for the corporate spelling bee.
The Bee is a fun way for the community to come together to help support literacy at all levels, throughout Milton, Georgetown and Acton. The event sees more than 20 teams of three from local businesses, organizations and non-profit agencies competing in a hilarious battle for spelling supremacy and for the coveted Spelling Bee trophy. Teams generally dress in costume and are supported by a lively audience of more than 250 people. The Bee has sold out every year since it’s inception in 2004.
Spelling Bee Chair Theresa MacDonald says: “The success of The Bee has been remarkable. The community has really come together and embraced the literacy cause. We are grateful to our participants who have made it such a success because they have chosen to get involved and make a difference in people’s lives.”
While The Bee has a reputation as a fun-filled event, the underlying issue is a serious one, notes MacDonald.
“Literacy is a hidden problem and many are surprised to learn that one in five people in Ontario struggle with low literacy skills. It is an economic and quality of life issue and it impacts our whole community. Through the Read Spell Write program, Literacy North Halton trained volunteer tutors work at a grass roots level to help adults in our community improve their literacy skills in order to achieve their goals as students, as parents, as employees and as full participants in the civic life of our community.”
Registration is now open for new spelling bee teams, but with a large percentage of returning teams, space is limited and organizers recommend registering as soon as possible. For those considering entering a team, MacDonald has some advice.
“It’s not like the scary school bees where you were up there all by yourself. Our teams can work together to correctly spell their answer. I think first-timers or “new-bees” as we call them, are always amazed by how much fun the whole event is! It is a wonderful night and people really get into the spirit of it.”
For more information about the event and details of team registration, visit www.grategroanup.com or contact Literacy North Halton (905) 873-2200 or visit www.literacynh.org
Contact for media: Event Chairperson, Theresa MacDonald (905) 876-0866
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The Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee Mascot and Milton’s Martin Street Public School students participated recently in a nation-wide attempt to set a new Guiness World Record for Most Children Reading With an Adult, Multiple Locations. The event was held in honor of Family Literacy day, which raises awareness of literacy among all ages and was created by ABC Canada to promote the importance of reading and learning as a family.
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