Pat Cox
Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge No. 2815 Dictionary Project Chairperson Joyce Garcia, with the help of Lodge members, distributed dictionaries to third-grade students at Casa Christian, Copper Creek, Immaculate Heart and Mesa Verde elementary schools in Oro Valley in October. Joyce personally purchased 200 dictionaries for these students because she says it is one of her favorite lodge activities. The Lodge has provided dictionaries to local schools for the past 14 years.
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.