Indian Land Rotary Club Distributes 700 Free Dictionaries to Third Graders to Promote Literacy

Indian Land Rotary Club Distributes 700 Free Dictionaries to Third Graders to Promote Literacy

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INDIAN LAND, S.C. — Nearly 700 third-grade students in Indian Land are receiving their own personal dictionaries this year, thanks to the Rotary Club of Indian Land’s annual literacy initiative. The project, now a beloved local tradition, aims to improve literacy and encourage a lifelong love of learning among young students.

“For many of these children, this is the only book they will ever own,” said Babette Sabia, past president and Rotary Foundation chair of the Indian Land Rotary Club.

Each fall, volunteers deliver the dictionaries in person to third-grade classrooms at Harrisburg, Indian Land, and Van Wyck Elementary Schools. Every book includes a special label featuring Rotary’s “Four-Way Test” and a space for each student to write their name—making it truly theirs.

“When we tell them, ‘This is your book,’ and see the excitement on their faces, it’s truly heart-warming,” Sabia added.

A National Literacy Program with Local Impact

The Dictionary Project began in Charleston, S.C., in 1995 and has since grown into a nationwide initiative. Its goal is to help students become strong writers, readers, and thinkers by giving them the foundational tool of a personal dictionary.

Rotary International lists literacy as one of its seven core areas of focus. The Indian Land Rotary’s involvement in the Dictionary Project reflects that global mission at a local level.

“We are people of action, and this project aligns perfectly with Rotary’s commitment to education and literacy,” said Albert Blackmon, past president of the Indian Land Rotary Club and District 7750 membership chair. “It’s deeply rewarding to know we’re making a tangible difference in our community.”

A Lasting Impression

Blackmon shared a powerful example of the project’s long-term value: “While at Walgreens, a young woman noticed my Rotary shirt and told me she still uses the dictionary she received in third grade. That moment brought the impact of this project full circle.”

Despite the rise of digital tools, the program remains relevant—especially for families with limited internet access.

“Some say kids don’t need books anymore, but many of these children don’t have easy internet access,” Sabia said. “Even when they do, holding a book and reading from it creates a learning experience that can’t be replaced by a screen.”

Beyond Dictionaries: A Broader Mission

The Indian Land Rotary Club is also involved in other community efforts, such as distributing supplies to the homeless and providing books to children in public housing.

“Whether it’s supporting students or those in need, it’s about creating opportunities and hope,” said Sabia, who’s been part of Rotary since women were first allowed to join in the late 1980s.