The Women of Woodside held a spelling bee fundraiser event at the Woodside Reserve Club on April 17 and gave community members a chance to raise money for several local charities and organizations while showing off their linguistic know-how.
Seven spelling contestants each represented a different charity, and each of them was required to raise $1,000 before being able to compete. At the competition, spectators were also able to bid on the chance to spell words.
Money raised will go toward the charities that were represented.
Spelling contestants were Jeff Haas representing Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs, Carla Harwood representing Succesteam Youth Development, Debbie Gregory Daily representing the Kisner Foundation Tee Up to Read program, Cindy Falk representing CanHope, Aimee Hanna representing Aiken Senior Life Services, Susan Vine representing North Aiken Elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization and Shana Ryberg representing the Friends of the Animals Shelter.
Kathleen Bennet, president of The Charitable Foundation and an event organizer along with Linda Walters, said last year over $18,000 was raised.
“People are extremely generous,” she said.
Speller Carla Harwood said she believes in the importance of community outreach and fellowship.
“We are blessed to have a number of great organizations that support our goals and support our youth, and we like to do the same,” she said. “We can aid each other and help each other in achieving our goals and making the community a better place for everyone.”
The winner of the bee was Susan Vine, who said that she was glad to participate in an event "to raise money for great charities."
