At Literacy Connections, every word has the power to open a door.

A few years ago, an adult learner named Maria walked into one of our programs carrying a dream she had postponed for decades, being able to read confidently to her children. Week by week, with the support of a volunteer tutor, Maria practiced sounding out new words, building sentences, and discovering the joy of reading for the very first time.

One evening, Maria proudly shared that she had helped her daughter study for a school spelling test. “For the first time, I wasn’t pretending—I actually knew the words,” she said. That moment, simple as it was, captured the heart of our mission: literacy transforms families, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities that last a lifetime.

At the same time, our Book Buddies program is shaping young readers across the Hudson Valley. Children who once struggled to read aloud are now doing so with confidence and joy. With the steady support of their volunteer reading buddies, students are improving their fluency, building vocabulary, and discovering that reading is something they can do—and even love. Those small weekly moments of encouragement are changing the trajectory of their learning.

The Annual Community Spelling Bee brings all of this impact together. It’s a fun, spirited event where neighbors, businesses, and supporters rally for a meaningful cause. Every sponsorship, every donation, and every team that steps up to spell helps adults like Maria gain life-changing skills—and helps children in Book Buddies grow into stronger, more confident readers.

The Spelling Bee isn’t just an event, it’s a community lifting each other up, one word at a time.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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SPELLING BEE