Boys & Girls Clubs provide antidote to summer "brain drain" with spelling bee challenge
Barnes & Noble store to host spelling bee and donate proceeds to Clubs
San Antonio, TX -- July 10, 200

While many San Antonio youth spend the lazy days of summer parked in front of the television, members of the San Antonio Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCSA) have been hard at work preparing for the second annual Barnes & Noble-BGCSA "Akeelah and the Bee" spelling bee championship. Members from all six BGCSA branches ages six to 17 will compete for the championships on Saturday, July 28, from 1-3 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble De Zavala location (12635 IH 10 West).

Trophies and Barnes & Noble gift cards will be awarded to the champion spellers in five age categories, and all participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. In addition, Barnes & Noble at DeZavala and I-10 will host a bookfair throughout the week of July 23-29 where a portion of the sales (with a bookfair voucher) will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio for their libraries. Customers can receive the vouchers at checkout upon request.

The Barnes & Noble-BGCSA spelling bees were inspired by "Akeelah and the Bee," a 2006 film about a young African-American girl whose participation in spelling bees helps her to overcome obstacles and gives her community something to believe in.

"Our annual summer spelling bee demonstrates the value of achievement to our young people," said Jim Watson, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. "What's more, it offers an avenue of learning that is both fun and exciting. We truly appreciate Barnes & Noble's support of this event and of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio's programs."

Founded in 1939, the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves more than 6,500 members annually at five branch locations and several satellite locations. The Clubs provide after school and summer programs that develop talents, values and skills in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those who need these programs most. As a result of the Clubs programs, young people are inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For more information, visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio website at: www.bgcsatx.org or call 210-436-0686.