Annual Spellapalooza fundraiser set for March 1

The Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Centers' fifth annual Spellapalooza fundraiser is right around the corner. On Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m., Glen Ellyn Police Chief Philip Norton will return to emcee an old-fashioned spelling bee that pits local teams and organizations against each other on the stage at the Glenbard West High School auditorium.

So far this year, 14 teams have signed up to take on the defending champions, Alphabet Soup. The teams include BaM (the Bookstore and Marcel's), the Glen Ellyn Fire Department, The GE Juniors, The Glenbard West and Glenbard South Key Clubs, Hadley Students and Hadley Teachers, the GE Library, teams from Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin and Forest Glen Elementary Schools, the 1st Congregational Church Youth, Spellin' for Ellen and tutors from the the Resource Center.

Judging the event will be Dr. Pam Zimmerman, former Principal of Glenbard West, Dr. Ann Riebock, Superintendent of District 41 Schools, Dave Larson, Superintendent of District 87 and Mark Pfefferman, the Glen Ellyn Village President.

This annual event raises money to support the Children's Resource Center. The mission of the Resource Center is to provide literacy and life skills to low-income households in Glen Ellyn. GECRC provides tutoring in all academic subjects, with an emphasis on educating students for whom English is a second language. It relies on the support of donations, grants and volunteers.

There is still time to register a team. The deadline is Friday, Feb. 15. Please contact Celia Rodee at cer24@cornell.edu or visit our webiste www.gecrc.org if you would like more information.

Tickets for this evening of fun and spelling are only $5 and can be purchased in advance from a participating team or sponsor. Tickets will also be available at the door. It's cheaper than a movie and a whole lotta fun!