Pagosa Rotary brings words, wonder 
and wide-eyed smiles to local third graders

By JoAnn Laird

Recently, dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs showed up in force at Pagosa Springs Elementary School to deliver the club’s annual gift of colorful dictionaries to all third-grade classes. 

Recess had just ended and laughing children filled the halls for the return to their classrooms. Much to their surprise, it wasn’t their normal afternoon class. Eyes widened and smiles appeared when 120 of these beautiful books were distributed. Students quickly wrote their names on the inside cover and the energy in the rooms was palpable. Word suggestions were made by the Rotarians, but quickly, the students learned how to use the dictionary and were shouting out their own suggestions of words to be found. Now, there were smiles on Rotarian’s faces also.  

It was a win/win for all involved.


 

 

  

  

   

  

  

  

This Rotary project is funded by generous donors throughout the year by sponsoring events like the Jeans and Jewel Barn Dance. Along with the Dictionary Project, raised funds also go toward local endeavors such as gifting over $20,000 annually for high school scholarships, providing manpower and resources for the needed Backpack Program, picking up highway trash, placing benches for those awaiting public transportation, endowing teacher mini-grants to defray their expenses, donating monies and items to the Food Pantry, helping fund the GGP Greenhouse Project, hosting foreign students for the Student Exchange Program, plus sending local students to study abroad, funding expenses for high school students to attend RYLA, a leadership training program and assisting the town with the 4th of July Parade. Rewarding, fun and in some cases, life changers.

Your local Rotary also supports Rotary International with eradicating Polio in the world and assisting other international communities with educational, medical and clean water systems.

In short, Rotary is paramount for supplying manpower and funds for our community and beyond. Should you wish to donate to the many causes Rotary supports, donations can be mailed to Pagosa Rotary Community Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 685, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. The Pagosa Springs Community Assistance Fund (CAF) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. 

Everyone knows at least one Rotarian. Next time you see one, be sure to thank them for not only helping a child with reading and comprehension, but also for the motto they live by: Service Above Self.