Third-graders given the definition of charity
Over 2,500 dictionaries donated by Hightstown- South Brunswick Rotary
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The Rotary Club of Hightstown-South Brunswick donated more than 2,500 dictionaries to thirdgrade students in SouthBrunswick,Monroe, Cranbury, Jamesburg and Hightstown this fall. This was done as part of Rotary International's Literacy/Dictionary Project,which has helped over a million children throughout the United States since the project's beginnings 10 years ago.

"We do it to encourage children to read, to look up words, help with spelling, help them speak and pronounce words," said Pat Darcey, the communications director for the local Rotary Club.

The N.J. Gateway Federal Credit Union was also heavily involved with this project, paying for half the costs of the dictionaries.

"Literacy is at the top of the list when it comes to our credit union's community involvement," said Rina Pantano, president and CEO of N.J. Gateway Federal Credit Union in a press release.

Why hand themout to third-graders?

"Third grade iswhat educators have said is the best time," Darcey said. "It's a time when theirminds are still open and they can become excited about looking up words they know and don't know."

Themembers of the club love interacting with the children as well.

"Almost every member [of the Rotary Club] as well as the president and CEO of N.J. Gateway Federal Credit Union went to the classes to hand out the dictionaries," Darcey said.

They also received a special gift fromthe students after they did this.

"We received hundreds of thank-you letters written on lined white paper," Darcey said. "It was so adorable."

This is the second year the local club has participated in this project, and Darcey said they plan on doing it every year.