NORWICH – In June, Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County held its 14th annual Scrabble Fundraiser, and Director Joann Kishbaugh would like to extend thanks to sponsors and contributors.

“We had a lot of community support this year,” Kishbaugh said. “It’s a good way to promote what we do here as well.”

The event took place in SUNY Morrisville and involved 25 participants. Monies were raised through the registration fee, pledges from individuals and companies in the area, and sponsorship of teams. Teams either came to participate in the event or were added to a team upon arrival.

“The neat thing was the age ranges. We had people from eight to 95 years old,” Kishbaugh said. One table hosted the Golden family of which there were three generations present.

“I was happy with the turn out,” she said. “But we’re always looking to see how to increase for next year.”

All of the funds raised go straight to Literacy Volunteers to support programs and services.

Literacy Volunteers is an important asset in the community because it helps many youths and adults reach a functional literacy level.

“Many people don’t know, but as many as 14 percent of adults (in the county) are functionally illiterate,” she said. “They read at or below a fourth grade level. That can make every-day life skills very challenging.”