Members of the Dawsonville Lions Club can now say with pride that they are at least as smart as a 10-year-old possibly even smarter.

The determination came at the Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old? fundraising event for the Reading Education Association of Dawson County, held Thursday, Sept. 27.

The event raised more than $14,000 for the nonprofit organization, which has the goal of increasing literacy in Dawson County.

I think it was one of our best events ever, said Sandra Lipkowitz, executive director of READ.

The City of Dawsonville team kicked off the evening ... by being the only team to earn zero points. Team members James Grogan, Chris Gaines and Taylor Wallace took it in stride, though.

The citys team were the best sports ever, Lipkowitz said. Its not easy to go out so early, but they hung in there and they made the evening wonderful.

The teams were assisted by eight local fifth-grade students Ethan Moore and Dessie Durham from Robinson Elementary, Cosette Huthwaite and Campbell Reed of Kilough Elementary, Grant Duncan and Piper Wright from Blacks Mill, and Taylor Daniel and Tyler Pittman from Riverview Elementary.

They were great, Lipkowitz said. And volunteers Lee and Cindy Emerson did a wonderful job with the children, leading them in cheers and helping them along through the evening.

County manager and soon-to-be District 9 Representative Kevin Tanner spoke prior to the event, and Carol Tyger served as the emcee.

Judge Jason Deal and Judge Lisa Thurmond served as judges, making sure the teams stayed to the strict 20-second time limit in answering questions.

Four teams 400 Waste & Scrap, the Dawsonville Lions Club, the Dawson County team and the Dawson County Rotary Club all tied, leading to a runoff. The Lions Club, composed of members Marty Horne, Ken Breeden and Joe Hirsch, eventually came out victorious.

It was quite the comeback, with all Lions Club team members saying that they had initially expected to not make it past the first few questions.

Were very excited, said Hirsch, chairman of READ, following the event. This is fantastic.

I just think it was an especially fun event, Lipkowitz said. Were just so grateful for the communitys support, and the trust and faith they put in READ as an organization.

Also at the event, a drawing was held from all of the letter sponsors for the evening. READ will present a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior on behalf of the drawing winner. This year, the winner was the Kiwanis Club.

For more information on how to be involved with READ, you may contact Lipkowitz at (706) 579-1771, or readdawson@yahoo.com.