Youth and Literacy Projects
Thesaurus Day
In 2025, Presque Isle Rotarians will be celebrating 20 years of Thesaurus Day, by entering 3rd grade classrooms in Presque Isle and surrounding schools to provide a free thesaurus to each student. This provides Rotarians an opportunity to share a little bit about what we do within the community and also promote literacy efforts through a mini thesaurus lesson.
Purple Pinkie Project
It’s an activity that’s been done at elementary schools across the country to raise awareness for Rotary International’s polio eradication efforts. We work with schools in Presque Isle and surrounding schools -and partner with other Aroostook County Rotary Clubs and businesses- to raise money for End Polio Now.
Rotary Reads to Me
We developed The Rotary Reads to ME program in 2023, which is designed to foster the love of reading in local students at an early age and promote literacy to help ensure their long term success. Rotarians visit 1st grade classrooms at Pine Street Elementary School each month and read a story, often connected to their real life experiences, and share our love for reading with the students.
Other Efforts
In addition to these projects the Youth and Literacy Committee partners with other club committees to host events like Yellow Tulip Day for students in the Spring, a mental health awareness initiative. The club also provides funding to community youth efforts, such as Rec sports teams, Bikes for Books program hosted by the local Masonic Lodge, project graduations, amongst others.
Great Maine Book Tournament
Each year, we fund the purchase of the reading materials needed for Easton Elementary and Jr high students to participate in the Great Maine Book Tournament. Students participate in the year-long activity in teams. They read all of the material, then compete in reading competitions with student teams across the state.
Literacy Tea
Each year, the club sponsors book themed table(s) at the Neighborhood Books Literacy Tea. This event is a fundraiser, where all ticket sales and proceeds benefit books for Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine. This year, there was also an Adult Literacy Tea, with proceeds returning to PI Rotary Club for our ongoing Literacy efforts.