Send Ben to the Scripps National Spelling Bee

Ben was recently accepted to attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC as an at-large applicant. As a 5th Grader competing against kids from Grades 4-8, Ben finished 2nd in the Regional Qualifying Bee behind a 7th Grader who was a  two-time regional champ and 34th in the country last year. He went 22 rounds before missing a word and forced the judges to go “off-list” to determine a winner for the first time in recent memory. As an at-large entrant, Ben must cover the entire cost of participation which is $1500 to enter and $1924 for lodging for himself and one parent. As humbling as it is to admit, this is too much for me to be able to afford right now. I've paid the entrance fee, but need help with the remainder to be able to send Ben to the Bee.