 Members of the Rotary Club of West Shore grabbed some gloves, donned brightly colored vests, a box of trash bags and set out to clean up the community. We gathered trash in the area near the transit center as well as the bottleneck. We are happy to be able to lend a helping hand in the local community! Pictured are club members George Conolly, Erin Sunday, Mark Knodel, Tim Arthun, Bim Arthun, and club friends Cleevens, Ley & Roovensky Almeus, Kedner Joseph, and Wisguer Sauver.
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Lemoyne Community Clean-Up
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2023-04-22 04:00:00Z |
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 It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of longtime club member Graeme Goodsir. Graeme was a consummate gentleman, a well-respected and renown expert in his field, and a dedicated Rotarian. His passion for and involvement in the dictionary project touched many lives over the years. Like other club members we've lost, the words "service above self" meant a great deal to Graeme. You will be missed, friend.
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Remembering Graeme Goodsir
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2022-12-31 05:00:00Z |
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 We are so excited by this new project for our club! As a result of COVID, the Camp Hill Parks and Recreation Department decided to try a new idea for collecting toys for the USMC Toys for Tots campaign. Instead of dropping off a toy in person at various locations around town, the director decided to do a lights display in Siebert Park and offer a drive-through option. Now in year three, the event is a huge success. RCWS club members gathered at Siebert Park on November 26-27 to set up a display for participants to enjoy. A huge THANK YOU to Highland Gardens in Camp Hill for donating a lighted tree and 2-pc reindeer set for us to use during the three-day event. The other items were donated by club members as a way of keeping costs down. Our original goal was to include a lighted Rotary wheel, but we elected to start "small" and plan differently for 2023. We are looking forward to seeing this project grow in the future and doing our part to support both a local and national endeavor!
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Supporting Camp Hill Parks & Recreation and Marines Toys for Tots Foundation
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2022-12-03 05:00:00Z |
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 With help from grant monies from the Rotary Foundation, District 7390, the RCWS was able to purchase supplies, assemble, and deliver 50 care kits for victims of domestic violence in Cumberland and Perry Counties. The club applied for the grant with a specific focus on Maternal and Child Health. The care kits include attractive, high quality duffel bags filled with personal hygiene and cleaning items. A special thanks to the staff at Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties for providing us with a detailed list of the most-needed items. Club members assembled the kits on Monday, November 21, and delivered them to DVSCP on Friday, December 3. Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of DVSCP's work, their staff will distribute the care kits as needed. We are grateful to The Rotary Foundation, District 7390, for making this vision a reality.
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RCWS Provides Care Kits for Victims of Domestic Violence
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2022-12-03 05:00:00Z |
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As part of our support, our club is one of 30+ organizations who took time to decorate a tree outside of the Salvation Army's headquarters on 29th Street in Harrisburg. A larger tree lighting ceremony was held on November 17, 2022. The Salvation Army Harrisburg provides diverse programs, including basic needs assistance, self-sufficiency mentoring, workforce development, choice shopping food pantry, Family Table nutrition education, youth programs, and emergency disaster services. The programs focus on meeting needs of body, mind and spirit without discrimination. The programs also dovetail nicely with many of Rotary International's areas of interest including Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Economic and Community Development, and Disease Prevention and Treatment.
Note: Our club realizes that this is an old Rotary logo, but it was handmade in Haiti from a recycled oil drum, and we think that’s pretty special!
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Tree decorating at Salvation Army
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2022-11-14 05:00:00Z |
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 The RCWS is proud to be a bronze sponsor of the Earl Besch Food Pantry Trick or Trot 2022! The goal of the food pantry is to help provide families with nutritious, perishable and non-perishable food and toiletries on a bi-monthly basis. It is available through a partnership with New Hope Ministries, the Lion Foundation, Camp Hill United Methodist Church and Camp Hill School District.
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RCWS Supports Earl Besch Trick or Trot 2022
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2022-11-08 05:00:00Z |
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Did you know? - Polio mainly affects children under age 5.
 - There is no cure for polio, but it is preventable with a vaccine.
- Only two countries remain endemic.
- Through Rotary International's efforts, the number of cases has dropped by 99.9% since 1988.
- There is evidence of polio trying to make a comeback.
Join with the Rotary Clubs of West Shore, Mechanicsburg-North, Yellow Breeches, and District 7390 Passport to raise money to continue the fight. Bring the Pints for Polio flyer with you to Snappers Bar and Grill in Mechanicsburg on October 19, and Snappers will donate 10% of your bill towards Rotary's continued efforts to eradicate this disease. Hope to see you there!
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Pints for Polio 2022
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2022-09-19 04:00:00Z |
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 The 2022 Flags for Heroes Dedication Ceremony was held on Monday, September 12, 2022. As in previous years, we began with the Presentation of Colors which was done by the Redland High School JROTC. Once again, Mr. Matthew A. Robinson amazed us with his voice as he sang the National Anthem. The ceremony concluded with a very emotional playing of Taps by Dr. Bill Stowman, Chair of the Music Department at Messiah University. As event emcee, Dennis Owens from ABC27, reminded us of the sacrifices made by our heroes, and speaker Dave Apgar from the Camp Hill Fire Department provided examples of heroes all around us. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the event and flag sponsors, and all those who helped make the ceremony so meaningful. You may also view a list of the heroes who were honored in the event program.
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Flags for Heroes 2022 Dedication Ceremony
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2022-09-19 04:00:00Z |
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 Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers have dedicated their time, energy, and skills to ensure our safety. As they provided vaccinations, administered tests, tracked outbreaks, and cared for patients, they sometimes put their health at risk to do so. With the pandemic far from over, Rotary asked its clubs to show our appreciation for them during the week of August 21-27. Given the large number of nursing homes that are close to the RCWS meeting place, we chose to show our appreciation by dropping off a sweet treat and handwritten notes of gratitude. Thank you, health care workers, for all that you do!
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Health Care Worker Appreciation
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2022-09-06 04:00:00Z |
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 August 2, 2022 - Club members showed up in force to help celebrate National Night Out in Camp Hill! Whether it was a bottle of cold water to quench thirst, a lollipop for a sweet treat, or getting a temporary tattoo (or two!) to show their patriotism, community members were able to learn a little more about Rotary and see that we care about the community in which we live, work, and serve. We got an extra treat when RYLA participant Sarah G. from Camp Hill High School stopped by to say hello! In her words, "RYLA was the best part of my whole summer!" We are grateful for the many ways in which we can give back! Click on Read More for additional pictures or visit us on Facebook.
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RCWS at National Night Out
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2022-08-02 04:00:00Z |
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Flags for Heroes Public Service Announcement
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2022-07-28 04:00:00Z |
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 Club members were out in full force at the Iron Bridge Music Festival in New Cumberland on Saturday, June 18. Whether it was answering questions about Rotary International, sharing information about the club's annual Flags for Heroes event, or just making new friends, it's important to be out and about in the communities in which we serve. Look for us at future events in the Camp Hill, Lemoyne, and New Cumberland areas. And... if you have an event that you think we should attend, feel free to reach out to Club President Bim Arthun with your suggestion(s)!
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RCWS @ Iron Bridge Festival
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2022-07-03 04:00:00Z |
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 When our club heard that Mission Central was running low on hats, gloves, and scarves, we quickly assembled the troops and collected items to help those in need keep warm. Given that it was 18 degrees this morning, this drop off was more than a little timely! Pictured left to right is Club President Rod Hite, members Erin Sunday & Bim Arthun, and Mission Central's Stephanie Titzel.
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Share the Warmth
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2022-01-11 05:00:00Z |
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 Dec 2020: Thanks to our Flags for a Heroes fundraiser, the RCWS was able to make a donation to the Camp Hill Fire Department which was in need of equipment repairs in their training room. We appreciate all that our first responders do to keep us and our communities safe, and we are happy that we can show our appreciation in this way!
Pictured L to R: Bim Arthun, President-elect, RCWS; Mark Simpson, Chief, CHFD; Jack Sellers, President, Camp Hill Fire Co.; H. Rod Hite, President, RCWS
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RCWS Donates to Camp Hill Fire Department
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2021-12-20 05:00:00Z |
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 After members of the RCWS toured the Salvation Army facility in Harrisburg, Club President Rod Hite was pleased to present the club's donation to support the many worthwhile programs offered by the organization.
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Salvation Army Donation
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2021-11-18 05:00:00Z |
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September 10, 2021 - the day before the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States - the Rotary Club of West Shore held its Flags for Heroes Dedication Ceremony. Friends, family, sponsors, and heroes gathered to remember the sacrifices made by so many in our community and beyond. We are grateful to our corporate sponsors and to each individual flag sponsor. Your decision to recognize a special someone has an extensive reach as proceeds from the event stay in the local community to help those in need. Plans are already underway for the 2022 Flags for Heroes event. You won't want to miss it!
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2021 Flags for Heroes - A Great Success!
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2021-10-24 04:00:00Z |
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 Members of the Rotary Club of West Shore were on hand to provide refreshments to walkers at the 2021 Vickie's Angel Walk which was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Walkers were very appreciative to find free cold water along the route. Their appreciation turned to excitement when they also saw free candy! While there were many "thank you" comments from the walkers, we especially appreciated hearing, "I knew you'd be here. Thank you for doing this for so many years." We are happy to support such a great event and program that helps those in need.
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RCWS doles out refreshments at Vickie's Angel Walk
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2021-10-09 04:00:00Z |
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 The RCWS is grateful to the sponsors who have already signed on for the 2021 Flags for Heroes event. The flags will be on display from September 4-12, 2021, along the Camp Hill Bypass. It's not too late for you to be a sponsor too! Sponsorships range from the $100 individual level to the $2,000 gold level. Join us for this unique and emotional display of gratitude that supports the local community. All proceeds from this fundraiser remain in the local area.
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Sponsors (to date) named for 2021 Flags for Heroes
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2021-07-29 04:00:00Z |
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 The RCWS is delighted to support the Rotary Veterans Initiative, particularly since the funds donated came from our Flags for Heroes fundraiser! Our donation will join with others to help veterans pay for school or start the business of their dreams through RVI's latest efforts, Business Plan Bootcamp. Pictured is RVI's Chair, Rick Coplen receiving the donation from Club President Rod Hite.
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Supporting Veterans in Need
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2021-06-22 04:00:00Z |
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 What an honor it is for the RCWS to be make a donation to the Friends of the West Shore Theatre. The Friends have come together to save the West Shore Theatre for the local community. Their motto has been Restore, Revitalize, Reinvent. They're working to Restore and maintain the beauty and feel of this historical theatre while bringing it up to date. Revitalizing the theatre helps the revitalization efforts in New Cumberland and around the West Shore. To do that, the group knows they need to Reinvent to adapt to the present, while honoring the past.
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RCWS Supports Friends of the West Shore Theater
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2021-05-27 04:00:00Z |
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 The RCWS is happy to support our local community! Club President Rod Hite (L) and former Club President Kirk Brechbiel (R) are pictured below donating $1,000 from our Flags for Heroes fundraiser to Anissa Basom of the Earl Besch Food Pantry in Camp Hill. The Earl Besch Project supports a host of needs (food, clothing, services) for Camp Hill families who are struggling to make ends meet so that our students can have the tools they need to become our leaders of tomorrow.
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RCWS Donates to Earl Besch Project
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2021-03-17 04:00:00Z |
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 Once again, our hearts are heavy as we announce the loss of long time club member, Chuck Cenkner. Chuck was often called "Mr. Rotary" since his passion for polio eradication, helping others, and living life by the Four-Way Test were evident in everything he did. He served on numerous Rotary committees at the club and district level, was editor of the weekly newsletter The Spokesman, and served as a District Governor. His volunteer involvement went well beyond that of Rotary International. We miss you, Chuck, and hope you are enjoying the reunion with your beloved Marilyn. Note: A service for Chuck is tentatively scheduled for May 2021.
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Remembering Chuck Cenkner
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2021-02-26 05:00:00Z |
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 The Rotary Club of West Shore is sad to announce the loss of long time club member, Bernie Dugan. Bernie is remembered for his constant kindness, friendliness, and support. He modeled "Service Above Self" as so many of our club members have done throughout their lives. Well done, Bernie. We will miss you.
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Remembering Bernie Dugan
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2021-01-19 05:00:00Z |
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The RCWS invites you to Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends event! Shoppers receive a 20% discount for the two days of the sale, and the Rotary Club of the West Shore receives 5% of the total purchase of all of those who mention Rotary Club of West Shore at check-out. What an easy way to raise money for our club which is then poured back into the local community! There are no coupons or coupon books, but SHOPPERS MUST MENTION RCWS AT CHECK-OUT. The event is October 14-15, 2020, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at the Camp Hill, PA location only.
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Save 20% at Boscov's!
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2020-09-18 04:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of West Shore is excited to kick-off its premier Fundraiser, Flags for Heroes! In this time of uncertainty, how wonderful it is to focus on something positive and celebrate our heroes! For more information about the program, how you can participate, and who benefits from this event, click here.
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Flags for Heroes is a go for 2020
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2020-08-07 04:00:00Z |
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 The RCWS met on Thursday, June 25, 2020, to pass the gavel virtually from two-term Past President, Kirk Brechbiel to President-Elect Rod Hite. Even DGE John Anthony and AAG Fred Gellert were on hand to share a word on how Rotary Opens Opportunities! PP Kirk highlighted some of the Club's accomplishments in the past two years including continued involvement with New Hope Ministries, Vickie's Angel Walk, RYLA, and the Dictionary Project. Additionally, the Club was able to help with the purchase of a commercial oven for the Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels. The Club not only increased membership, but increased diversity with the addition of four new female members. Special thanks was extended to Zacc Rahn for serving as Treasurer, Tom Oliver for serving as Secretary, Joe McNally for his service on the Foundation Board, and PDG Chuck Cenkner for his work with Polio Plus. Additional thanks was extended to member Jessica D'Agostino for agreeing to serve as treasurer in the upcoming year. Incoming President Rod Hite has an ambitious agenda for the upcoming year which includes a major fundraiser, growing membership with a focus on outreach to younger members, and launching an Interact Club at one of our area schools. It's going to be a great year because Rotary Opens Opportunities!
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Passing the Gavel
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2020-06-29 04:00:00Z |
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 PDG David P. Witmer, Jr. 1995-96 David Paul Witmer, Jr., 86, of Camp Hill, passed away on May 6, 2020; born in Hershey on June 27, 1933, the son of the late D. Paul Witmer and Catherine (Baney) Witmer; after graduating Hershey High School in 1951, he joined the Air Force after graduating ROTC from Franklin & Marshall College in 1955. He is survived by his wife Caroline (Manbeck) Witmer of 62 years; two sons, David P. Witmer, III and William C. Witmer and their families. David served the RCWS as President and will be remembered for his tenacity to preserve and save the club from closing during difficult times. He and Caroline hosted many exchange students. Additionally, they were always with the children during our dictionary project distribution and at all District functions involving children. His stories of aviation, Milton Hershey, travel, skiing, swimming and his love for Caroline will live on. God Bless his Soul.
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Remembering PDG David Witmer
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2020-06-29 04:00:00Z |
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 Since COVID-19 is preventing the Rotary Club of West Shore from meeting in person, club members opted to donate their normal meal expenses to the Earl Besch Project. Earl Besch was a long time resident of Camp Hill Borough who was known for his generosity to others. Earl would regularly reach out to local schools to see if there were families in need. Following his passing in 2015, his family established a memorial fund in his name to continue his legacy of caring. The Earl Besch Fund at The Lion Foundation provides others an opportunity to help those less fortunate in our community through donations to this fund. The RCWS donations were directed to the Project's BackPack Program. Normally, the BackPack Program is a summer activity, however the closure of public schools created a more urgent need this year. By teaming up with local churches, the project prepares and delivers boxes filled with nutritious healthy foods as well as household necessities to help the families in the BackPack Program.
The RCWS is proud to support such a worthy cause.
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Giving Back to the Community
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2020-06-23 04:00:00Z |
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 Members of the RCWS were on site to hand out water to walkers at the 2019 Vickie's Angel Walk. The event, held on October 12, 2019, at the New Cumberland Borough Park, marks the 17th consecutive year that Vickie's Angel Foundation has held this event. Vickie's Angel Foundation is a local non-profit with a mission of helping families fighting cancer who have difficulties paying their bills during the challenging times of undergoing cancer treatments. The organization eases the financial worry from families, providing a temporary bridge that allows them to focus entirely on beating their disease. The organization helps families in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill, and York Counties.
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Vickie's Angel Walk 2019
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2020-06-23 04:00:00Z |
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 Winter 2020 marked the 10th consecutive year that the RCWS donated dictionaries to third grade students in public and private schools in our local area. Additionally, the RCWS again partnered with the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club to donate dictionaries to all third grade students in the Steelton-Highspire School on the East Shore. Since the RCWS started participating in The Dictionary Project in 2010, the Club has distributed nearly 10,000 books at nine public schools and four private schools in the local area. At its nationwide peak in 2017, The Dictionary Project (based in Charleston, SC) distributed nearly 1.4 million books, mainly through Rotary Clubs. With the increase in technology in the classroom, The Dictionary Project has lost some of its steam, however schools which lack funding to provide electronic devices to their students remain grateful and appreciative of this ongoing initiative. Click here to find out more about The Dictionary Project.
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Literacy: The Dictionary Project
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2020-06-22 04:00:00Z |
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