South Plainfield Elks Promote Literacy with Dictionaries and “Freckle Juice”

South Plainfield Elks Promote Literacy with Dictionaries and “Freckle Juice”

The South Plainfield Elks Lodge #2298 in New Jersey recently completed its latest literacy outreach through The Dictionary Project, distributing over 300 dictionaries and copies of “Freckle Juice” by Judy Blume to third grade students at Franklin, John E. Riley, John F. Kennedy, Roosevelt Schools, and Holy Savior Academy.

The students learned not only how to use their new dictionaries, but also discovered the longest word in the English language and practiced sign language finger spelling. This engaging approach goes far beyond vocabulary—it opens doors to history, geography, math, and science knowledge.

This initiative also honors the Karen Minutella Reading Initiative, a program launched in memory of a beloved Elks member to foster literacy among children.

Since 2009, the South Plainfield Elks have donated over 3,500 dictionaries, showing their long-standing dedication to empowering students through reading and learning.