Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cheryl Crowley, ImMEDIAcy Public Relations, Inc.
(561) 776-7659 Office
(561) 371-5631 Mobile

Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee set for September 17

18th annual "grown-up" spelling bee benefits the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County Presenting Sponsor Florida Crystals

West Palm Beach, Florida, July 30, 2009 - It's time for the summer's most fun and entertaining event - the Literacy Coalition's annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee takes place on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace. Back for the 18th year, the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee will no doubt be another intense, grueling and nerve-wracking spelling competition and all around fun for everyone. Money raised from the Bee benefits the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County and its programs serving the community from Boca Raton to Jupiter and west to Belle Glade. The public is invited to attend and "Bee-watch" for free in the upper level of the Harriet Theater.

Corporate teams consisting of three people will compete for the coveted first place trophy while helping to raise awareness of literacy efforts in Palm Beach County. Trophies also will be awarded for second and third place. The cost for a team is $1,000 and includes a table for 8 (three team members and five additional guests), one mulligan that may be used to redeem one incorrect spelling, and food and beverages. For those who can't take the heat of having to spell, companies and individuals may purchase letters of the alphabet for $300 to highlight their company, honor a loved one or simply have exclusive rights to "own" a letter of the alphabet. All proceeds from the letters benefit the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County.

WPTV NewsChannel 5 Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle is emcee for the Bee. Buzzby Book Bee, the Coalition's mascot will, once again, be on hand to entertain the teams and the audience. There also will be an audience participation game where one lucky person will receive a special prize for guessing the correct spelling of a list of words.

Last year's Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee raised more than $44,000, the most ever in the Bee's history. The team from Palm Beach Community College (PBCC) took the top honor after successfully spelling "Edulcorate" and beating out more than 20 other teams to be declared the winners in 2008.

Who will rule the Bee this year and take home the top prize? Find out on September 17 as the following teams compete for bragging rights and win the 2009 Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee - Christine D. Hanley & Associates, P.A., Cusano's Italian Bakery, Inc., Discount Debt Solutions, Inc., Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Crystals Corporation, FPL, Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., Gunster, Attorneys at Law, ImMEDIAcy Public Relations, Inc., LaBovick & LaBovick, Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., Lynn University, NCCI Holdings, Inc., Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach County Bar Association, Park Avenue BBQ & Grille, Publix Super Markets Charities, Queen Bees: Sponsored by Mallen Chiropractic, SV Microwave and WPBF TV 25.

Presenting Sponsor is Florida Crystals. Other major sponsors include Bee Hive Sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities and Lowercase Alphabet Sponsor NCCI Holdings, Inc. Dean Lavallee, owner of Park Avenue BBQ & Grille is serving as Chairman for the Bee.

About the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
It is estimated that 1 in 7 adults in Palm Beach County function at the lowest level of literacy and approximately one third of fourth grade students cannot read at grade level. The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is committed to promoting and achieving literacy for adults, children and families. For more information about the Literacy Coalition, its programs or to sign up a corporate team for the Spelling Bee, please contact the Coalition office, 1-800-273-1030.