Pagosa Springs Rotary Dictionary Give-Away

Posted by Jo Ann Laid
 
 
The Pagosa Springs Rotary Dictionary Give-Away was actually started from a shared dream between two Rotarians in another country.
 
In 2001 it became a Matching Grant project between India D3150 and five clubs in Southern Colorado, led by the Lamar Rotary club. Our club started our project in approximately 2005.
 
This community project is one of our most loved and appreciated, as every third grader in the Archuleta School District receives a dictionary. This is the only book they have in school that belongs to them and the only one they can take home. The dictionary changes formats about every three to four years but is always colorful and comprehensive.
 
     
For those of you who have never been able to participate in this rewarding project, I can tell you it will make your day. As Rotarians are divided among the various third grade classrooms, we are welcomed with smiles and anticipation as we explain what Rotary's purpose is and all the things we do, both local and internationally. We let them know that our local Rotary provides bus stop benches, endows college scholarships, picks up highway trash and puts on the 4th of July Parade. A letter to the parents is placed inside the dictionary, to also explain to them that this dictionary is a gift from our club and what we represent.
 
Then the fun begins. We first have them write their name in their book to establish they own it. We then suggest words to look up, presidents and international flags to locate and demonstrate the general use of this dandy dictionary. It gets really loud then!
 
It is an exciting time for not only the students but Rotarians as well. We receive thankful cards from the students and kudos from the teachers. There is no doubt that this project is beneficial in spelling, language skills and imagination.
 
This year, we provided over 120 dictionaries to our students and since this project's inception, we have provided over 1,400. Be proud! This project is yet another fabulous example of "Service Above Self".