AUBURN — They were certain this was going to be their year.
Definitely 2012 would bring with it their breakthrough.
Sure this year's Scrabble Fest Letters for Literacy would signal their rise to the top.
"Well, I at least thought we'd finally make it out of second-to-last place," said Lisa Ward, a member of Team Scrabblicious out of Lisbon Falls.
Ward and her three teammates took their loss in stride, joking about how next year they promise to prove victorious. But for the four friends who've competed in the event for years, the real prize isn't the plaque with their name on it.
It's getting the word out about the importance of the local non-profit agency benefiting from the annual event's proceeds.
"It's really fun and it's for a good cause," said Ward's teammate, Linda Mason.
Since 1974, Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin has helped thousands of people across the county acquire the basic reading, writing, and math skills they need to enhance their lives and achieve their personal goals.
The local non-profit is a nationally accredited affiliate of Pro Literacy America. The organization aims to provide free, one-on-one tutoring and other educational services to help children and adults in Androscoggin County.
Tahlia Chamberlain, executive director of Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, said that 16 teams signed up for the 14th year of beloved event, but two teams competing in the Pro Division were forced to drop out due to illness. She said the event raises about $3,700 for the organization.
"It's all getting the word out about what we do," Chamberlain said. "I mean, raising the money is important, but getting word out about what we do is more important."
Right now, Chamberlain said the organization has a waiting list of more than 30 people in need of literacy services. She strongly urged people to consider volunteering an hour of their time to help fellow community members learn to read, prepare for the workforce and even just learn English and American culture through conversations.
Scrabblicious was among 14 teams from across the state competing Sunday at Auburn's Hilton Garden Inn for the title of top wordsmiths in two categories - the Pro Division and the Social Division. And after all the tiles were tallied up, the team indeed came in second-to-last place again this year in the Social Division.
First in the Social Division this year was a four-member team of co-workers from Brann & Isaacson in Lewiston. Members of the team include Lisa Galarneau, of Lisbon; Ben Redmond, of Durham; Diane Greene, of Lewiston; and Pam Hayman, of Auburn. The four co-workers and friends said they play at least once a week during lunch and started participating in the event four years ago as a fun way to help out a good cause.
"It fills and enormous void in our community," Greene said of Literacy Volunteers.
Her teammate, Galarneau, adds that "You don't realize how many people out there can't read."
This year's Pro Division winners were Cy & I, a husband and wife team made up of Cyrus and Gail Kendrick of Topsham. Cyrus Kendrick was also this year's top fundraiser for the event.
"We come out because it's fun," said Cy Kendrick. "We really enjoy it and literacy is an important cause."
The couple said they participate in three Scrabble Fest's throughout the state each year - all of which raise money for various Literacy Volunteers programs. Their interest and involvement stems as much from their belief in the power of literacy to their love of Scrabble.
The couple plays Scrabble daily against one another and even keeps an on-going score all year long. This year, the Kendrick's had the pleasure of being able to take the title from two Pro Division teams that have both beat them in year's past.
"We usually come close, but we beat ourselves by about 200 points this year," said Gail Kendrick of this year's victory.
No comments:
Post a Comment