Rotary: Books for Children

Thoreau wrote, “Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.”

Let me tell you a story. Reading was one of Paul Harris’ core pleasures. (He founded the club that became the humanitarian organization Rotary International in 1905.) Evenings at Comely Bank, his home on Chicago’s South Side, would find Paul reading aloud from the novels of Charles Dickens. His speeches and writings are peppered with quotations from poets Robert Burns, John Greenleaf Whittier, and James Russell Lowell. Paul Harris, as well, made allusions to New England transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau — fitting for a man who loved the outdoors.

Today, in the spirit of its founder, Rotary fosters literacy, paired with education, as one of its six areas of focus. On May 19, 2025, Rotary Club of Marlin distributed books for Summer reading to Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade students at Marlin Elementary School.

Present on May 19, 2025 were Rotary Club Special Projects Chair Mark Pederson, Rotary Club Scholarships Chair Jimi Lynn, Rotary Club President-Elect 2024-2025 Chip Parmer, Rotary Club Public Image Chair Letitia Estep, plus Rotarian and 4th-6th Grade House Principal and DAEP/MOC Coordinator for 2025-2026 at Marlin Elementary School Dr. Sharon DeLoach.

After the book selection, Rotarians wrote each child’s name on the apportioned “This Book Belongs to” page of his/her book.

Rotary would like to offer a special thank you to the teachers who expressed their preference to having the younger students receive reading books. Teachers also guided their students during the book selection process.

Rotary extends its gratitude to Marlin Elementary School Principal Hillary Ballard for her support and facilitation of this year’s Rotary Club Literacy Project. A note of appreciation is commended to HEB for their children’s book inventory and supply.

“Service Above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best” are Rotary’s official mottoes.