Pompano Beach-Lighthouse Rotary Club Promotes Education

Dictionaries were given to 2,400 third grade students this year in sixteen elementary schools in Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, North Lauderdale and West Park in Florida. Seventeen Pompano Beach-Lighthouse members – plus a few visiting Rotarians – and friends of Rotary worked together to complete this year’s Community Service project. The Pompano Beach-Lighthouse Rotary Club’s project was funded by contributions from Publix Charities, donations from club members and a Rotary Grant from Rotary District 6990. The Pompano Beach-Lighthouse dictionary project was started in 2007 with one elementary school in Pompano Beach and has expanded to as many as 23 schools and 139 class rooms. In the seven years of the project, a total of 15,505 books have been donated. All books are opened and affixed with Rotary labels. The books are then delivered by teams of two and hand delivered to students in the class room. The students are advised to put their name inside their new treasurer. “It is more than just a dictionary,” said Rotarian William Zobus, “it also has sign language, maps and even the longest word in the English language.” By giving the gift of a dictionary, Rotary members are encouraging students to expand their vocabulary and broaden their world view. “No total has been kept, said Zobus, “but it takes about 180 hours of labor each year.” The Dictionary Project recognizes the time commitment of the project – from coordinating shipment to personally hand delivering the dictionaries to students – and we commend the Pompano Beach-Lighthouse Rotary Club’s dedication to advancing education in their community.