Dictionary Project 2023
Noah Webster would be Proud
Our group was awfully busy handing out dictionaries and explaining what the Rotary Club is to every third grader in town. We were all impressed with the kids. They had a great breadth of knowledge and most importantly, were curious.
Each elementary school had 3-4 classrooms to cover. We started by telling a bit about Rotary, our service to the community and the world, then discussing the Polio Project. Jeff Mainville, of the Noah Webster House provided a five minute video about Noah Webster and his dictionary. And then, we improvised - leading the kids on a tour of the dictionary and adding some tidbits about Noah and West Hartford.
The dictionary project is based on the efforts of Annie Plummer, a housekeeper in Savannah, Ga., whose single-minded campaign to distribute thousands of free dictionaries to needy schoolchildren made her nationally known as "The Dictionary Lady”. One morning in 1992, Ms. Plummer was struck by the fact that pupils were empty-handed while walking to the local elementary school. No books. It occurred to Ms. Plummer that if these children were given a basic book like a dictionary, it would help stimulate their interest in learning and could change their lives. She started the project when she used $50 of her own money to buy 30 pocket dictionaries.
A local newscaster publicized Ms. Plummer's efforts and soon she began to receive donations. By 1995, Ms. Plummer's stated aim was to provide every third-grade student in Savannah and surrounding Chatham County — about 4,000 in all - with a free dictionary.
Each one of us who was able to participate was energized by the interaction. Kids are a positive force to be around. They are optimistic and a full life lies ahead of them. This was a great project!
Kudos to the following Rotarians: Carolyn Malon, David Gerrol, Kyle Egress, Eileen Rau, Bennett Forrest, Bob Kor, Mary Silverberg and Fern Vidal. Special thanks to Chad Licht for his efforts too!