At Wilson Elementary School are (from left): Cathy Mikesell, Rachel McCoy, Debbie Price, Teri Pastor, Chris Champie, Marian Manning and Catalina Mountain Elks Dictionary Project Chairperson Joyce Garcia.
Pat Cox
Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge No. 2815 distributed dictionaries to third grade students at Casa Christian, Copper Creek, Immaculate Heart, Mesa Verde and Wilson Elementary Schools in Oro Valley in October. Project Chairperson Joyce Garcia purchased 350 dictionaries and, with the assistance of lodge members, presented each third grade student with a dictionary.
The Dictionary Project was founded in 1995 by a South Carolina teacher, Mary French. Her sole mission was to distribute dictionaries to as many third grade students as possible. In 2002 the project was expanded to 12 states along the eastern seaboard, including New York.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks proudly joined in the effort and now provides dictionaries to third graders in all 50 states. Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge has provided dictionaries to local schools for the past thirteen years.