PVCC and Paradise Valley Rotary Unite to Deliver 1,500 Dictionaries to Local Third Graders
Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) recently partnered with the Paradise Valley Rotary Club to champion literacy across the community through their continued involvement in The Dictionary Project. This national initiative places a personal dictionary in the hands of every third grader, supporting vocabulary development, independent learning, and long-term academic success.
PVCC faculty, staff, students, and Rotary volunteers came together on campus to prepare 1,500 dictionaries, each receiving a Rotary label before being delivered to third-grade classrooms throughout the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD).
Charles Berry of the Paradise Valley Rotary Club emphasized the importance of the effort, noting that for many children, the gift of a dictionary represents the first book they have ever owned. This year, the club contributed $5,856 to The Dictionary Project, continuing its commitment to making these resources accessible to young learners.
“This contribution ensures students have a dictionary they can rely on throughout their education,” Berry said. “It’s a foundational tool. Students can’t do their best work without one.”
The Paradise Valley Rotary Club has supported The Dictionary Project for more than two decades, sponsoring over 46,000 dictionaries as part of the more than 37 million distributed nationally. Since becoming an official sponsor in 2005, the club has donated 47,616 books to local students.
Photos courteous of Paradise Valley Rotary and Paradise Valley Community College
For PVCC, the collaboration also strengthens the connection between future educators and community leaders. “Being able to bring our education students together with partners like Paradise Valley Rotary is incredibly meaningful,” said Meggin Kirk, PVCC’s Education Director. “It shows our students that an entire community is invested in their journey—and in the success of their future classrooms.”
The dictionaries provided through The Dictionary Project offer far more than word definitions. Students will find U.S. Presidents, state information, world maps, sign language charts, and other reference tools that teachers often integrate into daily lessons. At the end of the school year, each third grader takes home their dictionary, personalized with their name.
“This event truly illustrates what’s possible when
education and community service unite,” said Mario Marquez, PVCC’s senior development officer. “Our students witness the real impact of volunteerism and take pride in contributing to something that will inspire thousands of young learners. We are deeply
grateful to the Rotary for allowing us to be part of a project that reaches so many children and families.”
Photos courteous of Paradise Valley Rotary and Paradise Valley Community College
