"From set up to delivery, everybody had a wonderful time. I really enjoyed going to the schools and meeting the children. I especially loved it when their faces lit up and how they couldn't stop talking about their new dictionaries. A very worthwhile project." Chris Parr-Feldman

History

In 1999-2000 the Sonoma County Literacy Coalition (SCLC) decided to give quality dictionaries to 3rd graders. There was $4,000 in the treasury designated to go for children. At that time there were about 1,000 3rd graders in the Petaluma area. SCLC purchased 400 dictionaries and 600 were donated.

During Rotary year 2000-01 SCLC decided that they didn’t want to be in charge of handing out dictionaries the second year. Harvey Freetly, member of the Rotary Club of Petaluma, took over the task, calling it the Dictionary Program. They had a Friendship Feast which earned enough money for 400 dictionaries but were 600 short. Harvey solicited everybody and everything to make up the difference. Price at that time was $11 per dictionary plus shipping and use tax.

The Dictionary

The MACMILLAN DICTIONARY for children ages 8 to 12, published by Simon and Schuster, is an inviting book to open because it is colorful and full of photographs and diagrams. The Reference Section is loaded with 35,000 fascinating entries and there is a Thesaurus.

The book finds use in a home where English is a second language. It can be used by brothers and sisters of the child who received the book. Many times during the presentation process we have discovered this book will be the only book in the home.
 

Dictionaries Project Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West

Terri Evans was the club’s first Dictionary Project chairman for the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West. For the first time she and her committee personally delivered dictionaries to Santa Rosa Schools. It was a very rewarding experience and she convinced our club how important it was to continue doing this wonderful service. Unfortunately for us, Terri’s job moved to a new locale.

David McDonald replaced Terri as chairman for the Dictionary Program. In 2003 our club purchased 320 dictionaries and delivered them to local elementary schools: JX Wilson, RL Stevens, Wright, St. Rose, St. Eugene and Kid’s Street.

In 2004 Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West also distributed 200 Webster Bilingual Dictionaries, both English/Spanish and Spanish/English. These will be used by students, teachers and parents and were given tothose in greatest need for bilingual dictionaries.