DeKALB | This Thursday in DeKalb, local adults get to feel like nervous children again.

Altrusa International, a classified service organization, is hosting a spelling bee at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Best Western Inn and Suites, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway. Refreshments are available at 6 p.m.

For the past six years, the DeKalb/Sycamore branch of Altrusa International has raised money for literacy through service projects in the form of spelling bees.

“In the past, we have probably raised over $10,000,” said Karen Hagen, one of the co-chairs of the event. “Part of the proceeds from the bees goes to the DeKalb/Sycamore branch of Altrusa International for literacy grants that we give out in the spring, part goes to the [DeKalb] Daily Chronicle for their Newspapers In Education [program], and part goes to the DeKalb County Community Foundation Literacy Fund that we endowed. We use interest from that endowment to fund literacy projects.”

The Daily Chronicle supplies DeKalb schools with newspapers through their program, Newspapers In Education, with articles on sports, science, holidays and Lewis and Clark.

“We buy already-made stories from distributors, [many of whom] are former teachers,” said NIE coordinator Susan Springer. “[We incorporate] curriculum for all grade levels.”

The event raises money from a $3 cheerleader fee at the door, donated raffle prizes and an admission fee for teams.

This year, 21 teams will participate in the spelling bee. Various service clubs, businesses and nonprofit organizations form three-member teams. Nonprofit organizations such as Safe Passage and the DeKalb Public Library are sponsored by other businesses.

“Verizon [Wireless] is a major sponsor,” Hagen said.

The DeKalb Public Library is the bee’s reigning champion.

“We plan to bring the trophy back this year,” said Dee Coover, director of the DeKalb Public Library. “The DeKalb Public Library promotes literacy at all levels and we want to be visible to the community [to show] that we are involved in the community. Altrusa promotes literacy so it’s a nice partnership.”

“This is our seventh year so this is a popular event and it’s fun,” Hagen said. “Nobody else is doing it. Spelling and literacy are a good fit.”