NFM Rotary distributes dictionaries to area schools to delight of students
The Rotary Club of North Fort Myers spread a special kind of joy to many North Fort Myers area students. Every year for the last seven years, members and volunteers of the club have visited all area schools to distribute dictionaries to all area third graders.
“On Oct. 1, every third grade student at Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary received a dictionary from the Rotary Club members. The administrators and teachers were very grateful for the Rotarians’ generosity and the students could not believe the books were for them to keep,” said Littleton Principal Monica Broughton.
“The Rotarians came away from the experience with a great deal of satisfaction, mostly from the outpouring of excitement and appreciation from the students. Our school was thrilled to have the Rotarians partake in the event. We are most grateful for the contributions of our local Rotarians.”
The students absolutely loved the dictionaries, said teacher Theresa Eichbauer of Tropic Isles Elementary School. “They don’t want to put them down; they are really excited about this. The dictionary they (the Rotary) chose is awesome. It has all kind of facts and information, includes information on The Constitution, and fun things like ‘The Longest Word’ on the the last page.”
(The longest word has 1,909 letters – a formula.)
“This allows them to have their own personal dictionary,” said Tropic Isles Elementary School’s Interim Principal Brandy Macchia. “Not only can they look up meanings of words they don’t know, but they have a higher vocabulary in their writing.
Rotary members William Mathis, Candace Gilbert, Jack Hess and volunteer Amy McCarthy distributed dictionaries to the excited students.
“We love doing this,” said Mathis. “We’re touching some children who possibly have never seen a dictionary.”
“Excitement is the reaction,” said Hess.
Both of them have been involved with the donation program for the past seven years.
At Tropic Isles, Hess gave a brief presentation to the children, making it fun. He had several read a line or two about the Rotary, an interactive way for them to learn about the organization.
In other news from the local Rotary, the Rotary Club of North Fort Myers will hold the Rotary Masters Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 23, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The event will be held at Magnolia Landing Golf Club, 3501 Avenida Del Vera Blvd. in North Fort Myers. Funds raised will benefit North Fort Myers High student scholarships and local Boy Scouts.
The cost is $65 for golfers and $100 for hole sponsors. For information, call event chairman Ray Hair of Ray Hair State Farm Agency at 995-0202.