Glen Ellyn groups spell for charity

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center's annual Spellapalooza pits teams representing community organizations in a contest to fund programs that help local low-income families.

Glen Ellyn Police Chief Philip Norton will emcee the community event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, in the auditorium at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

The local teams in the eighth annual Spellapalooza include defending champions from Hadley Junior High and the Glenbard High School District 87 high schools, the Lions Club, Glen Ellyn police and fire departments, Glen Ellyn Public Library, First Congregational Church, local businesses Marcel's and the Book Store, and the Glenbard West High School state winning football team, all competing to see who is the top speller.

Judges for event are Glen Ellyn Village President Alex Demos, Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 Superintendent Paul Gordon, Glen Ellyn village Trustee Tim Elliott and former Glenbard West Principal Pam Zimmerman.

The evening will include refreshments and a raffle. Tickets, $10, can be purchased at the door.

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

The Children's Resource Center relies on the support of donations, grants and volunteers. For information on the center, visit gecrc.org.