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Spelling bee to raise literacy funds

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By Amanda Seitz, Staff Writer 10:51 PM Sunday, February 28, 2010

HAMILTON — Can you spell A-l-t-r-u-s-a?

Some local Butler County residents may be doing just that Friday, March 5, at the first Annual Adult Spelling Bee hosted by the Altrusa International of Hamilton, Ohio Inc.

The spelling bee begins at  11:30 a.m. at the Hamilton Courtyard Marriot’s ballroom.

Teams of three will spell their way through the contest and raise money for organizations to which Altrusa International of Hamilton lends a helping hand.

“We’d like to have a lot of participation from Butler County,” Germaine Vonderhaar, a member of Altrusa International, said. “Our main thrust in this spelling bee is for literacy.”

Nancy Schwab, YWCA literacy program director, said she is hoping to create a team for the event.

“I had the opportunity, years ago, to participate in one of these and it was a lot of fun,” Schwab said.

Vonderhaar said proceeds would benefit three literacy agencies in Butler County: YWCA, Shared Harvest and Head Start.

“We deal with adult literacy and some children’s programs,” Vonderhaar said. “We do a lot of volunteer work.”

Schwab said the bee might raise awareness about literacy.

“It would be nice to recognize that there are still people who have problems with literacy,” Schwab said.

The Spelling Bee, which will be held on Dr. Suess’ birthday, will have first, second and third place team winners. Teams will be coordinated in groups of three, with each team having two members from their respective workplace or business sponsor.

Vonderhaar said those who want to simply watch the spelling bee could come and register for lunch.

For more information, to register to attend the luncheon, or to become a financial sponsor of the spelling bee, contact Bobbi Hesselgrave at (513) 759-5520 or bobbihess@aol.com

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2192 or aseitz@coxohio.com.

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