Rotary Club of Fort Myers South promotes literacy in Lee County

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2018) – In the very early stages of learning, a dictionary can serve as a significant tool and quick reference book for young students.  Thanks to the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South and Rotary District 6960, third graders will be gifted with the power of words on Friday, Oct. 12 at elementary schools across Lee County in celebration of the 19^th annual “Dictionary Day.”
 
Rotarians will distribute almost 900 brand-new English and Spanish dictionaries to students at five different elementary schools. The project aims to help third graders complete the school year as respectable writers, active readers and creative thinkers. The usefulness of a dictionary goes beyond the spellings, pronunciations and definitions it lists. Young students can benefit from an increased self-reliance and resourcefulness inspired by the saying, “look it up.” It’s an opportunity for students to expand their vocabulary.
 
This project has been in place for over a decade and has been made possible through the tireless efforts of the Rotarians who have made a personal commitment to improving literacy and the quality of life in Southwest Florida.
 
Dictionaries will be distributed at the following schools in Fort Myers:
 

• Colonial Elementary School at 3800 Schoolhouse Road
• Heights Elementary School at 15200 Alexandria Court
• Orangewood Elementary School at 4001 Deleon St.
• Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School at 4600 Challenger Blvd.
• Tanglewood Riverside Elementary School at 1620 Manchester Blvd.

 
Distribution times are generally from 8:30-10 a.m. but will vary by school. For specific times and more information, contact James Applegate at 239-281-1223 or visit Rotarysouth.org/calendar/.
 
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has more than 120 members who are among the 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide. Service Above Self is the motto of Rotary International, which has contributed more than $1.2 billion and tens of thousands of volunteer hours toward polio eradication in addition to projects such as water quality, world peace and literacy. Rotary Club of Fort Myers South meetings are held each Monday at noon at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Drive. For more information, visit www.rotarysouth.org.
 
Rotary District 6960
Rotary is an international organization of business and community leaders working together through friendships and building relationships in an effort to serve others and do good in the world. It is a secular organization open to all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender or political preference. There are more than 32,000 clubs worldwide composed of 1.2 million individual members. Rotary District 6960 in Southwest Florida has more than 50 clubs.
 
Rotary’s purpose is to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary’s primary motto is “Service Above Self;” its secondary motto is “One profits most who serves best.” For more information visit www.RotaryDistrict6960.org.