Thursday, at its noon lunch meeting, several members of the Rotary Club of Monticello visited the fourth grad classes of Drew Central and Monticello School Districts to gift each student a dictionary.

Each Fall Monticello Rotary Club, purchases and deliverers printed dictionaries to the the community's fourth graders. The dictionaries are personally given to each student, and the students get to keep the copy for their home.

"As technology dominates the world of this young generation, the excitement they enjoy by getting to own a book we hope inspires them to continue that excitement for learning and reading," said member Zack Tucker.

The program serviced an estimated 230 fourth graders.

Rotary Club of Monticello was founded in 1923, as part of Rotary International. The professional service club connects like minded leaders missioned to build friendships and create positive change in our communities. 

Thursday, at its noon lunch meeting, Rotary Club of Monticello presented Drew County Feed the Kids a $3,000.00 check to support the after-school meal program for this year.

In a presentation given during the Rotarian weekly meeting, the group was given an update on the the program and its nearly 100 participates.

Feed the Kids is a 8 year old non-profit initiative that works with Drew County's local school districts to supply meals for children who might not be receiving meals outside of the school day. School identified children attending Pre-K through Middle School have food placed in their backpacks, during breaks, on on Fridays to ensure they have food for the weekend in case their parents are unable to feed them. The names of families participating is limited to the school districts and kept confidential. 

Each weekend children are given packs with 6 meals estimated to cost around $8. Rotary's donation is expected to provide 2,250 meals for needy Drew County's needy children.

In 2013, Monticello's Rotary Club adopted Feed the Kids as its service project, pledging support and assist to the program. 

Rotary Club of Monticello was founded in 1923, as part of Rotary International. The professional service club connects like minded leaders missioned to build friendships and create positive change in our communities.