The Dictionary4Life Books Arrived, and Look What Fun We Had!
After a remarkable journey from Dubai to Ottawa, 1,560 Dictionary4Life books arrived safely in District 7040. On August 17, Rotarians from across the district gathered to collect their books, while Rotary Club of West Ottawa volunteers prepared dictionaries for local Grade 3 students.
Hugh Williams and Nicho Bonetti, Susan Diening’s grandson, pitching in.
1,560 books. Three pallets. One extraordinary journey. Thanks to the efforts of Rotarians, shipping partners and volunteers, these dictionaries are now on their way to students across District 7040.
A Remarkable Journey to Ottawa
Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Dictionary4Life books, printed by Oriental Press in Dubai, were shipped by sea through the Strait of Hormuz and arrived in New Jersey.
Thanks to Magnum Book Services, District 7040’s 1,560 books, packed on three pallets, were then transported by road to Bushtukah’s warehouse in Ottawa, arriving on August 10.
Clubs Come Together
On Monday evening, August 17, representatives from participating District 7040 clubs came to Ottawa to collect their pre-ordered dictionaries:
Arnprior: Jane and Gerhard Peters
Orleans: Jonathan Hood, representing Peggy Gilmour
Ottawa South: Jeff Sirrs
Nepean-Kanata: Susan Hopkinson and Susan Kolar
Ottawa: Rob Therrien
Smiths Falls: Ken Graham, Tracy Staples, Stewart Blair and Claire Smith
Brockville: Marilyn Powers
Eganville: Ted Cooper and David Clark
Cornwall-Sunrise: Larry Guance and Jennifer Deschamps
North Renfrew (Deep River): Larrie Thomson
West Ottawa: Linda Flynn, Eric Armstrong and Dave Morton
Eric Armstrong of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa, alongside fellow club member and Bushtukah CFO Dave Morton, led an “A” team of West Ottawa Rotarians and family members, loading books into vehicles and getting everyone quickly back on the road.
Meanwhile, Inside the Warehouse
From left: Mary Lever, Peter Fisher, Miriam Fraser, Sucha Mann, Karen Baker, Fred Christie and Jean Begin, with Theresa Jamone standing.
But that was only half the story! Inside the warehouse boardroom, another West Ottawa team was busy inserting labels and bookmarks into 332 dictionaries that will be presented at 10 local schools in October.
Bob Harrison coordinated this part of the operation, supported by a wonderful team of volunteers. As always, the hands-on evening was filled with smiles, laughter, reconnections between club representatives and plenty of fun.
332 dictionaries prepared for 10 local schools, with many more destined for Grade 3 students across District 7040.
The Best Part Is Yet to Come
Stay tuned, because the best part is still ahead: school presentations this fall. Rotarians are looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of Grade 3 students across District 7040, many of whom will be receiving their very first book of their own.
Rotary District 7040 | Supporting literacy and creating lasting impact