Dictionaries Project
"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
About five years ago (Rotary year 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.
Loading up: Dave & Gary
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.
Tarina & Bill
Book Pricing
The retail price for the book is $17.95 each. The publisher gives the project a 61% discount. Then we pay sales tax and freight from New Jersey to our storage facility in Petaluma, California.
| Total for books | $7,000 |
| Sales tax @ 71/2% | 0.522 |
| Freight | 0.393 |
| Associated Expense | 0.035 |
| Estimated cost per book | $ 7.95 |
We are able to obtain this significantly reduced price because of the large number of clubs working together and placing a single order of not less than 5,000 dictionaries. A small order consisting of 150 books receives a 50% discount plus a freight charge of $2.00 per book for a total per book cost of $11.65.
Terry
District Wide Participation
Rotary year 2001-02
This was the first year of our
Districtwide Dictionary Project because Patty Blount, then
District Literacy Chairman, put a display up at the Assembly
that generated much interest. Twenty-five
clubs participated in the project and 8,350 dictionaries
were purchased. Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West jumped at
the chance to do this wonderful task.
Judith & Friend
Rotary year 2002-03
34 Clubs participated and purchased 10,210 dictionaries. In only
two years Rotary Clubs in our District have placed these first
class dictionaries in the hands of 18,560 third grade students!
Bill Fisher keeps track of details
Rotary year 2001-02
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.
Gary is ready
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West
Rotary years 2002-03-04
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 to those in greatest need for bilingual dictionaries. I hope everyone gets a chance to look at this dictionary. It’s one of the most useful books you’ll ever find.
David McDonald’s Team: Gary Lucas, Anne Abrams, Terry Galazzo, Bill Fisher, Chris Parr-Feldman, Tarina Hall, Judith Light and Mike Moore. It was a most gratifying experience.
This recap of the program highlights was written by Chris Parr-Feldman and contributed to by all of the above members whose tireless efforts brought this program to reality. They have represented Rotary in its finest activity of service to others, and in doing so have all exemplified Service Above Self. Our sincere thanks goes to all of them.
Web site Coordinator/Bulletin
Editor:
Jim Valinoti
Chris Parr-Feldman and Friends
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WOW!
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These
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They've got the answer to every question. |
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