News Article
WBCT Donates to The Dictionary Project
Published on: June 10, 2015
Winder-Barrow Community Theatre recently presented the play "Leading Ladies" at the Winder Cultural Arts Center. Part of the proceeds from this show was donated to The Dictionary Project, and the photo shows President Tery Overbey presenting the check to Shelia Hawthorne, the local Dictionary Project contact.
The Dictionary Project was started in 1995 by Mary French in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The project was brought to Barrow County by Shelia Hawthorne in 2002 after she read about the project and submitted the idea to Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization of active and retired teachers. In the first year 754 dictionaries were given to Barrow County students. This year over 1200 dictionaries (in English and Spanish) were given to 3rd grade students.
There are 8 elementary schools in Barrow County, and all third graders receive a dictionary that will belong to them. Many times, this is the only book that the student owns. Even in the world of technology, there are still students who have no computer access in their homes. These dictionaries are delivered to the students in October of each year. Sponsors donate all of the funds to purchase the books and help distribute them at the schools.
If you would like to know more about the Dictionary Project, please see the website at www.dictionaryproject.org. For more local information or to donate to the project, please contact Shelia Hawthorne at 770-962-0520 or omyshelia@aol.com.
