By JoAnn Laird
Laughter and excitement filled the halls of Pagosa Springs Elementary School this week as members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs delivered their annual gift of colorful dictionaries to every third-grade student.
More than 100 books were handed out, with students eagerly signing their names inside the front covers before diving in. Rotarians encouraged the children to look up various words, and it wasn’t long before the students began calling out suggestions of their own—quickly learning how to use their new dictionaries. The smiles on both sides made the day a clear win for everyone involved.
The Dictionary Project is made possible through generous community support, including fundraising events such as the Jeans and Jewels Barn Dance. Money raised not only funds the dictionaries but also supports a wide range of Rotary initiatives. These include awarding more than $20,000 annually in high school scholarships, contributing to the Feed Our Children Backpack Program, cleaning local highways, installing benches for public transportation stops, and providing teacher mini-grants to help cover classroom expenses.
Rotary’s impact extends further with donations to the Food Pantry, support for the GGP Greenhouse Project, and participation in international student exchange programs—hosting students from abroad and helping local youth study overseas. The Club also sends high school students to RYLA, a respected leadership training program, and assists the town each year with the 4th of July Parade.
In addition to local service projects, the Pagosa Springs Rotary Club contributes to Rotary International efforts, including the long-standing global campaign to eradicate polio and initiatives supporting education, medical care, and clean water systems worldwide.
In short, Rotary remains a vital source of service, funding, and volunteer power both in our community and beyond. And chances are, most residents know at least one Rotarian. Next time you see one, be sure to thank them for the motto they live by: Service Above Self.
