Hilo Rotary Club - Youth Avenue Of Service - Keiki Dictionary Program

A Dictionary of Their Own — Opening Doors for Hilo's Keiki

A simple gift. A world of words. A lifetime of possibilities.

Imagine the surprise on a third grader's face when a Rotary volunteer hands them a brand-new dictionary and says, "This is yours to keep."

For some children, it may be the first book they've ever owned. And when they're invited to write their own name inside the cover, something wonderful happens. It's no longer just a dictionary. It's their dictionary.

Through the Rotary Club of Hilo's Third Grade Dictionary Project, our members bring this special experience to elementary school classrooms throughout East Hawaiʻi, helping keiki discover the joy of words, the excitement of learning, and the pride of owning a book of their very own.
 
More Than a Dictionary

Every year, Rotary volunteers visit participating elementary schools to personally deliver dictionaries to third-grade students.

But the real magic begins after the books are handed out.

Together, students and Rotarians explore the wonderful things hidden inside their new dictionaries. They look up words like aloha, care, fairness, and respect. They discover fascinating facts about the world, explore maps and information about the states, and even learn how to spell ALOHA using sign language.

Along the way, children learn that a dictionary is more than a place to check spelling or find definitions. It's a tool for curiosity, discovery, and independent learning.

And perhaps best of all, it's a resource they can take home, share with their ʻohana, and return to whenever a new question sparks their imagination.
 
A Moment That Stays With You

Longtime Hilo Rotarian Treena Breyfogle has participated in the dictionary deliveries for many years. She remembers the surprise and excitement on children's faces when they are invited to write their names inside their new books.

As Treena shared:  "Many cannot believe they have a book of their own."

She admits that she once wondered whether children growing up with computers would still find joy in receiving a printed dictionary. But after experiencing these classroom visits firsthand, she discovered something much more meaningful.

Not every child grows up in a home filled with books. For some, the simple experience of receiving a book that belongs entirely to them can open a door to reading, learning, and possibilities they may never have imagined.

These are the moments that remind us why Rotary's commitment to education matters.
 
Learning, Connection, and Community

The Dictionary Project is about more than literacy. It's about bringing people together and showing our keiki that their community believes in them.

Every classroom visit gives Rotarians an opportunity to encourage young learners, celebrate their curiosity, and introduce the values that guide Rotary's service to others.

Students discover new words, learn about the Rotary Four-Way Test, and meet community members who care about their future.

For our Rotarians, the experience is just as rewarding. The smiles, questions, laughter, and excitement make every classroom visit something special.
 
Helping Our Keiki Learn to Read — and Read to Learn

Literacy opens doors. It helps children build confidence, express themselves, explore new ideas, and develop the skills they'll use throughout their lives.

Through this project, the Rotary Club of Hilo is proud to make a small but meaningful investment in the next generation of our island community.

One dictionary. One child. A whole world waiting to be discovered.
 
Be A Part of the Story

The Third Grade Dictionary Project comes to life through the generosity, time, and aloha of Rotary members and community supporters.

Whether helping prepare the dictionaries, visiting classrooms, or supporting the project, there are opportunities to make a difference.

Interested in helping open doors for our keiki?

We invite you to learn more about the Rotary Club of Hilo and discover how you can be part of a community committed to service, education, and making Hawaiʻi Island an even better place to call home.

DICITIONARY DETECTIVE

Created by Hilo Rotary Club