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Business and organizations throughout Oswego County are demonstrating their support for the cause of literacy in Oswego County by helping to sponsor the 9th Annual Diane Falise Memorial Scrabble® Fest fund raiser for Literacy Volunteers.
From monetary donations to gift items and door prizes, these caring businesses, organizations and individuals are helping to ensure that Literacy Volunteers’ 2015 Scrabble® Fest is better than ever.
“We are pleased with the support that has been shown and are very appreciative of the donations we have been receiving,” said Meg Henderson, coordinator of OCO Literacy Volunteers. “Without the generosity of our sponsors and support of the community members that participate and attend Scrabble® Fest it would be difficult to provide the much-needed services that Literacy Volunteers provides.”
Currently, approximately 12% of the adult population of Oswego County cannot read above the 5th grade level. The majority of Literacy Volunteers students are between the ages of 19 and 59, with the fastest growing age group entering the program being between 18 and 29. “Reading is an issue that needs to be addressed. These individuals are unable to do what many of us take for granted such as surfing the internet, reading magazines and newspapers, medication labels, recipes and most books. Literacy Volunteers offers the opportunity for them to gain the literary skills and computer skills necessary for daily activities and more,” explained Henderson.
To date, Scrabble® Fest sponsors include: Burritt Motors, Eastern Shore Associates, Fidelis Care, Key Bank, OneGroup, Pathfinder Bank, POMCO, Ultimate Software, National Grid, and G & C Foods. Henderson added that many of the sponsors have also registered teams that will compete in Scrabble® Fest.
Registration is now open for teams who want to participate in Scrabble® Fest’s fun, fast-paced competition. Teams consist of four players, who work together to create words during three turns in each of the four 20-minute rounds of play. Team scores will be tallied and the top three teams will be awarded prizes. To add to the fun of the event, there will be special prizes for the most pledges raised (team registration is not considered pledge money) and for team spirit.
New for Scrabble® Fest 2015 are the “Exchange a Tile” Tokens. Teams can purchase up to one token per round of play. Players that may have a tray with all vowels, or that pesky Q, may turn in a token and replace as many tiles as you like without losing their team’s turn at play. One token may be used per round of play. Other additions include Bingo Bracelets and Word Wizard Wands.
Entry fee for a team of 4 is $100 and includes light refreshments. The cost for individuals wishing to attend but not compete in the event is $15 (this fee includes light refreshments). Scrabble® Fest takes place from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Elks Lodge #271, 132 West 5th Street, Oswego. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. Teams of four will compete against each other with the top three teams awarded prizes. In addition there will be drawings, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and other fun activities to help support Literacy Volunteers.
All proceeds from Scrabble® Fest will benefit OCO Literacy Volunteers.
For more information on Literacy Volunteers or to register a team for the 9th Annual Diane Falise Memorial Literacy Volunteers Scrabble® Fest, contact Literacy Volunteers at 315-342-8839 or Sarah Mason at 315-598-4717 Ext. 1050. Registrations forms and further information may be found at www.oco.org.
Operating under the auspices of OCO, Literacy Volunteers provides confidential tutoring services at no cost to the student. Tutoring includes basic literacy (reading and writing), English literacy to improve English speaking, reading and writing skills, and some simple math and computer skills. Volunteers have been providing Literacy tutoring in Oswego County for 50 years.
Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 80 separate locations. For more information, visit www.oco.org.
