Voices of Hope for Aphasia hosts second annual crossword puzzle gala next week

Once you figure out what aphasia is, the language disorder is hard to forget. It doesn’t affect intelligence, but can impact the way a person speaks, understands, reads and writes.

About a third of strokes result in the condition—and at least 2 million people in the U.S. live with it. One nonprofit, Voices of Hope for Aphasia, has been helping them cope for more than a decade through socialization at free workshops and outings.

The St. Pete-based, Best of the Bay-winning organization’s annual Word Play fundraiser brings people together for a night of puzzle—and this year’s special guests include Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Jason Adam and Pete Fairbanks , who also love crosswords.

There’ll even be a special tribute to the late Merl Reagle, who pens the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay crossword in the back on the book. Tickets include a buffet dinner, drink ticket and programing, with table options available.

The second annual Word Play gala happens on Thursday, June 6 at Clearwater’s Banquet Masters (13355 49th St. N). Tickets are still available for $95 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight. [event-1] Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

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