(above) A total of 1,200 dictionaries were presented to third graders in the Plainfields by the Rotary Club.
Third Grade Students Receive Gift of Knowledge
Submitted by Michael Townley
Teams of Rotarians and volunteers went out to the three elementary schools in North Plainfield and the ten elementary schools and three charter schools in Plainfield during the months of October and November to give a dictionary to every third grade student. A total of 1,200 dictionaries were presented, including Spanish-English dictionaries for ESL students.
“Our Dictionary Project for Plainfield and North Plainfield school children is in its thirteenth year,” said Shannon Jefferys, president of the Rotary Club of the Plainfields. “It is one of our most important and most successful community service projects because of its direct contact with so many young girls and boys in their classroom settings. All of our members feel the same way – our hearts are warmed by the smiles and even cheers when we announce the gift and present the dictionaries to each student. This project is so important to the education of our children, and we are proud to play our part.”
People from both communities are welcome to join this project. The Rotary Club works with the schools and teachers to help make their students active readers, good writers, and creative thinkers. “We love to have people join us on the project,” said club president Jefferys. “It’s a great way to see directly what Rotary is all about – service to others. What better way to do that than helping children with their education?”
The first set of gifts were delivered by Rotarians Janice Allen and Beki Perkis, along with North Plainfield Mayor Mike Giordano at North Plainfield’s East End, West End, and Stony Brook elementary schools. “Such an exciting day,” said Mrs. Allen. “The kids are so excited to see us and to receive their dictionaries. Any Mayor Mike is truly a big part of the excitement. He is such a good friend to our Club and is so enthusiastic as he helps us in this project every year. The kids love having their Mayor come to see them, too!”
The dictionaries are purchased through The Dictionary Project, Inc., a non-profit created in 1995 in South Carolina. The Dictionary Project’s mission is to put a dictionary in the hands of every third grade student in the United States. Since its founding, over 27.2 million dictionaries have been presented to children across the U.S. More information is available at the Dictionary Project’s website at dictionaryproject.org.
The Rotary Club of the Plainfields was founded in 1921 and has served the community for ninety-seven years. Members are community and business leaders in the area who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at Paulo’s Restaurant in South Plainfield, except for the first Wednesday of the month when they meet at The Coffee Box in Plainfield. The Social Hour at The Coffee Box is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Come to either the Social Hour or a lunch meeting at Giovanna’s to learn more about how you can join or support this great service club.
Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, at secretary@rotarypnp.org for additional information about the Rotary Club or to help with the Dictionary Project, or visit the Club’s website at rotarypnp.org.
