Helena Elks project spreads words

We want to thank school administrators and teachers for allowing Helena Elks Lodge # 193 to distribute dictionaries to all third-grade students in the Helena area. Over 1,000 age-approropriate dictionaries were given away. This Elks project was done in conjunction with `The Dictionary Project,` a nonprofit organization which distributes over 4 million dictionaries annually.

Receiving school districts were Helena, East Helena, Montana City, Townsend, Boulder, Basin, Lincoln, Wolf Creek, Canyon Creek and home schools. It is always gratifying for our members to go into the classroom and experience the students` joy when they receive their very own dictionaries.

This is the fourth year that the Elks have done this project, and each year it grows. For instance, at the request of a local teacher, we sent 48 dictionaries to a very poor school on an impoverished island near the Marshall Island military base. They are studying English and the dictionaries should help.

We might also mention that anyone anywhere can do this worthwhile project. Just go to www.dictionaryproject.org for information. Other groups outside the Helena area might be interested.