LOCAL ROUNDUP: Gather your team for Scrabble event

Wordsmiths around the Flathead Valley are invited to play Scrabble for Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County on Saturday, April 30, in the Arts and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

Spellebration, the annual signature fundraising event for the Literacy Center, draws Scrabble fans of all ages to either morning or afternoon sessions of competitive Scrabble.

This is a team Scrabble event. Gather a team of four friends, family members or co-workers — then use a bag of tiles to make words together during timed games on official Scrabble boards.

Each four-person team is asked to collect $200 in pledges (or sponsorships) for this fundraiser.

Individuals are also invited to sign up. Call to schedule your playing time and you will be assigned to a team.

Sessions are 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the most money raised and top scores at each session. Food and refreshments will be provided to all players.

 Spellebration is a fun way to spend a Saturday while supporting the many programs Literacy Volunteers offers the community free, from basic literacy, math and life skills to English as a Second Language and U.S. citizenship classes.

Call 257-7323 or 752-7266 to reserve a table, request a pledge sheet or for more information.

Special Olympians compete Friday

Approximately 200 athletes will compete in the Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games at several locations across the Flathead Valley from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 29.

Volunteer are needed and the public is encouraged to come out to support athletes as they compete in a variety of sports, including track and field, bowling, swimming, bocce, golf, cycling and power lifting.

A dinner and dance will be held for the athletes at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell following the competition.

To volunteer, call Karen Kimball at 250-8481; for more information contact area director Terri Siefke at 885-2262.

Schedule of events:

9 a.m. — Opening ceremonies, Legends Stadium, Kalispell.

9:15-11:30 a.m. — Track and Field, Legends Stadium.

9:30-11:30 a.m. — Golf, Buffalo Hills Golf Course, Kalispell.

9:30-11:30 a.m. — Cycling, Kalispell Middle School.

10-11:30 a.m. — Tennis and Softball Throw, Legends Stadium.

1-2:30 p.m. — Bocce, Legends Stadium, Kalispell.

1:30-3:30 p.m. — Bowling, Pin ‘N Cue.

1-4 p.m. — Power lifting, Flathead Health and Fitness, Kalispell.

1:30-3 p.m. —Aquatics, The Wave, Whitefish.

4:30-8 p.m. — Dinner and dance, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell.

Special Olympics Montana is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health-related programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Volunteers sought for Spartan Race

The Spartan Race is returning to the Flathead Valley May 7 and 8. The weekend starts with The Beast on Saturday and continues with The Sprint on Sunday. More than 6,000 racers will be fire jumping, spear throwing and rope climbing.

There are two ways to volunteer for this event:

• Sign up with the Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau to take surveys or at the beer station. Four-hour time slots are available from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers receive lunch, snacks, free on-site parking and a Spartan volunteer T-shirt.

• If you’re looking for a free race entry or want to help build the course, these volunteer assignments tend to be more physical and the shifts are longer. Benefits include lunch, snacks, a T-shirt and a free race entry if you commit to a half or full day. The free entry can be used for this event or a future race

To sign up or for more information, contact Vonnie Day at 758-2809 or vonnie@discoverkalispell.com.

Big Brothers plans spring fundraiser

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County is having its annual spring fundraiser “The Big Event” on Thursday, May 5, at Kalispell’s Hilton Garden Inn. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The theme for the evening is “A Night to Change a Life” and includes dinner, a bucket raffle, live auction and grand prize giveaway. Proceeds will be used to provide mentors for children in need.

Tickets are $750 for a table of eight, $200 for a couple or $125 for an individual.

Big Brothers Big Sisters supports youths in graduating from high school, avoiding risky behaviors, building better relationships and improving self-confidence by matching them with a professionally supported one-to-one volunteer mentor.

Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has 60 matches in Flathead County and 18 children on a waiting list for mentors. Contact the agency at 752-0092 to find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County, visit the agency’s website at www.bbbsfc.org.