The Rotary Club of Hazelton Donates New Dictionaries to Third Graders

The Rotary Club of Hazelton has been purchasing and donating dictionaries annually to area students since 2001. Third graders at all of the Hazelton Area School District elementary schools (Freeland is covered by Freeland Rotary) are the student recipients. This is a yearly event done as a way for the club to introduce young people to the “wonder of words.” Many local children lack Internet access and these dictionaries give them all a common starting point, while making classroom dictionary exercises possible. “We all know a dictionary can make many reading and writing tasks much easier, but the joy and wonder expressed by these students when they receive a new book is the biggest thank you of all for the club,” said John Beltrami, project chairman. Beltrami was assisted in the project by Tim Genetti, Rotary Club president and club members Dorothy Anderson, Donna Barna, Toni Frumkin, Lani Drobnock, John Schwear, Sharon Farver, Michelle Fisher, Lisa Marie Halecky, Barb Cassise, David McCarthy, Paul Brenner, Mary Ann Feno, De Ann Miller, Tom lagana, John Madden, Bill Pavlivk, Pat Korb, Pat Ward and Rotary friend Cindy Ferrari, who are delivering more than 900 dictionaries to area school children. Funds are made possible by the many fundraising projects the club conducts throughout the year. One of the club’s current fundraisers is the holiday flower sale. Rotary Club members sell Poinsettias, Christmas cactus and amaryllis.