Go bananas at LEI's third annual fundraiser

Participants play Bananagrams during last year's tournament. Photo courtsey LEI.

Lake Erie Ink (LEI), a writing space for youth, is hosting its third annual fundraiser for people of all ages to showcase their quick, creative wordplay skills during a Giant Bananagrams Tournament. The event will take place on March 21, 2–5 p.m., in the Cleveland Heights High School Social Room, making it one of the community's last opportunities to enjoy the space before construction on the historic school begins this summer.

Inspired by the fast�-paced, Scrabble�-like word game, teams of two to four players will compete on a 30-by-30-foot Bananagrams board with 1-foot-square tiles in front of a live audience, with plays and words announced by a guest MC.

In addition to the main event, families and other attendees can join the fun in the pay�-to-play room, and win prizes at the cakewalk and by participating in a raffle. Or, spectators can simply watch the lively literary match in the Social Room.

LEI is asking local businesses and organizations to participate as well, by registering and playing as a team representing the business or organization. Or, they can sponsor a team in their name and pay the registration fee. The contribution per team is $500.

For more information about how to participate, visit www.lakeerieink.org. The deadline to assemble a team of two to four people is March 12. To set up a team and raise money for the event, visit Lake Erie Ink’s Crowdrise page, www.crowdrise.com/2015LEIGiantBananagrams.

Proceeds will benefit Lake Erie Ink, a non�profit that provides creative expression opportunities and academic support to Greater Cleveland youths. Hosting programs at both it's Coventry location and in classrooms throughout the region, LEI serves young people from a broad socio�-economic, cultural and academic range, using creative writing to increase literacy and social engagement.