Muncy Rotarians, Sandy and Paul Putney distribute dictionaries to third and fifth grades at Myers Elementary. Tristan Berkheiser (standing) and Nicholas Puzio (seated) were anxious to get theirs to use in the classroom as their teacher, Kristen Fry looks on.

MUNCY – On Monday morning eight members of the Muncy Rotary came to Myers Elementary School to distribute dictionaries to all children in the third and fifth grades. This is a yearly project according to president, John Smay. “This is a twenty year project for Rotary, and the tenth year for the Muncy Rotary,” said Smay.

Each member visited the classrooms and gave a brief description of what the Rotary organization does for the community. “This is a nice way to introduce the Rotary to the kids,” said Paul Putney. A nice full color picture booklet titled “Carol Is A Rotarian” was also given out to each student with the dictionaries. The booklet helps explain Rotary projects and how members help others using their motto “Service Above Self.” The booklet was published in Pennsylvania by Wilbooks, Inc. who are Rotarians in West Chester. Several examples are given on projects overseas. “We help people all over the world,” said Justin Reis.

Literacy projects are one of the main focuses for the Muncy Rotary. Each year they order enough dictionaries for each child and also personalize them so that they can call each student’s name as the members hand out the dictionaries to them. They like to work in the public and school libraries, organizing and replacing books.

The dictionaries have lots of information for the students to view and digest, including maps of the world, the United States Constitution and information on each President of the United States. According to the teachers it is important that students get the dictionaries in the early grades. Third grade teacher, Tammie Hartland said, ” They really appreciate them. There are times when I look up and their book of choice to read is the Dictionaary.”

“The dictionary can really help me,” said Ethan Temple, a third grader.

Wearing their vests personalized and embroidered by PSP Embroidery Plus, the Rotary members who came for the presentation were Paul and Sandy Putney, Susana Falck, Mitch Morgan, John Smay, Portia Brandt, Justin Reis, and Mike Klein.