By Kathryn McBroom
Staff Writer 

    For the fifth year in a row, the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge has donated dictionaries to every third grader in Morgan, Greene, and Hancock counties, most recently Morgan County third graders.
    Taking the lead from the national Elks Lodge organization, the group has consistently donated every year since their inception, with Gene Campbell taking over as this year’s chairman of the program. 
    During the creation of the program 15 years ago, third graders were chosen because it is the typical grade level when students begin learning how to use dictionaries and other research materials. By donating a dictionary to every third grade student, the Elks Lodge and The Dictionary Project hope to, “improve literacy and the quality of life in their communities,” according to dictionaryproject.org. 
    Lake Oconee Elks Lodge hosts multiple fund-raisers throughout the year to help fund the dictionary giveaway, as well as the lodge’s many other charitable endeavors, including the six scholarships the Lodge donates annually. 
    “We do barbecue plate luncheons, and many other types of fund-raisers to accumulate money,” said Campbell.  
    Those wishing to donate to Lodge 2849’s efforts should contact Campbell at 706 484-1872.
    “I’ll be happy to work with anyone,” said Campbell.