Trivia buffs gather to support local literacy
Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley hosted its annual Trivia Bee for Literacy Saturday, March 19, at Pipers Banquets on Butterfield Road.
This year's theme was "Bee-witched," based on the classic sitcom "Bewitched." Three-person teams competed in three rounds of questions covering topics ranging from entertainment, arts, and literature, to geography, history, science, and sports.
Approximately 200 participants and spectators attended, showing once again that local support is strong for this organization despite the state of Illinois' struggling financial situation. Like many nonprofit organizations, Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley was affected by the state budget impasse.
The annual Trivia Bee provides much needed funding as the organization heads into the new fiscal year $47,000 short.
Individuals and corporations participated in a variety of ways, from sponsoring teams, donating time and money to offset costs of hosting the event, to donating and bidding on silent auction items. Notable silent auction items included Learn to Row classes at Row America-St. Charles, a 30-minute flight for two over the Fox Valley, and golf for four at Tanna Farms, donated by Paul Ruby of The Herrington, as well as numerous gift baskets from local businesses and gift certificates to restaurants and shows.
Teams have a tradition of choosing punny names based on the theme of the Bee. Entrants this year included Endorables (Accenture), Tabitha's Troubadours (Batavia Rotary Club), and Mooreheads Are Better than One (Elgin Community College). The winner for best team name was Wiccapedia (St. Charles Public Library). Team Spirit Award went to Team WINgardium Triviosa! (Bartoszek Engineering), who were clad in floor-length cloaks and sparkling wizard hats.
This year's winning team was Mooreheads Are Better than One of Elgin Community College. Second place winners were DoUUble DoUUble, Trivia and TroUUble of Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva. Third place in the trivia contest went to Bothered and Bee-wildered, Team Chris Denault sponsored by Nameplate and Panel Technology of Carol Stream. The grand prize included Geneva Chamber of Commerce gift certificates donated by Strohschein Law Group LLC, winner's caps donated by Liz Prignano of Budokan Martial Arts and Fitness, and trophies donated by Pam Bierman of Doc Morgan Inc. Second and third place prizes were donated by Dairy Queen St. Charles and Classic Cinemas.
Proceeds from this year's event will help hundreds of adults in the Fox Valley area learn to read, write, understand, and speak English through free one-to-one tutoring from Literacy Volunteers of Fox Valley. The program is accredited by ProLiteracy, the largest nongovernmental organization of adult basic education and literacy programs in the world. Only 400 out of 1,200 ProLiteracy affiliates have achieved this designation. It has helped thousands of people achieve greater success in life through adult literacy since it was established in 1986.
Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley will host its next tutor training workshop on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 12, 14, 19, and 21. Anyone interested in tutoring is encouraged to attend. No prior teaching experience is required. The four-session workshop provides all necessary training. For information, visit www.lvfv.org or call (630) 584-4428.