C-H-A-R-I-T-A-B-L-E.
Charitable: by definition, of or relating to the assistance of those in need.
Charitable: a word Plant City business representatives may have to spell at the Plant City Kiwanis Club’s Fourth Annual Spelling Bee Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Plant City Entertainment.
Each year, wordsmiths from around the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World battle for a chance at a traveling trophy and the honor of being named the “Best Speller in Town.”
For $200, businesses can enter a participant into the competition. The donation comes with two tickets to the event. The spelling bee is a fundraiser for the club’s Stuff the Bus program, which donates school supplies for students in need.
“This year, we’re giving 40 book bags to every school in Plant City,” Kiwanis Club President and event organizer David Wolf said. “Every dime of it stays local. The need is so great. At least it gets them started on the right foot.”
Businesses can enter the competition through Monday, Aug. 8. Donations are welcome, even if an individual or business does not wish to participate.
Those who do grace the stage face friendly competition.
“It starts off with a round of easy words, usually related to the work (participants) do,” Wolf said. “It’s all done in
fun. There’s become quite a lot of competition.”
The top three spellers are each given a trophy, and the business with the overall winner takes home a traveling trophy. Wolf’s wife, Cynthia, won the spelling bee last year.
After seeing similar competitions in Polk County four years ago, David Wolf decided to bring the idea to Plant City.
“It was a stolen idea, like all good ideas,” he said. “So many fundraising events are expensive for business owners, so we wanted small business owners to be able to participate. We try to keep it to where it’s still fun.”
Individuals who want to watch the competition can purchase tickets at the door for $10. A raffle also will take place following the event.
“It’s a fun time,” Wolf said.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.