California Dictionary Project Returns to Oakland to Hand out 4,000 Dictionaries to Public School Third Graders; Fourth Annual Donation Brings Total Dictionary Distribution to 47,000 in San Francisco Bay Area Since 2002.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The California Dictionary Project (CDP) announced its latest round of distribution of 4,000 free dictionaries to public school third graders in Oakland. In partnership with the Oakland HEROES and the support of the Oakland Unified School District, the CDP will return to Oakland for the fourth time with a series of multiple classroom visits and interactive presentations with the students.

This year's Oakland distribution was donated by the Severns Family Foundation.

With the motto "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," CDP believes that by reaching children early, providing them with tools (dictionaries), personalizing the delivery (volunteers from the local community) and teaching them how to use those tools (classroom presentations), they can grow "readers."

"It's our hope that by introducing the students to the dictionaries, we can provide a reference tool that is a catalyst for increased learning and leadership," said Barry Graynor, President of CDP.

The founders of CDP were inspired to create the organization as a result of the work by Mary French, a South Carolina woman that began a non-profit to buy dictionaries for every third grade student (www.dictionaryproject.org). Her efforts have been the basis of similar programs in more than forty states.

About California Dictionary Project

CDP is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving literacy in California's public schools, one child at a time. Operating revenues to run CDP come mainly from charitable donors committed to encouraging literacy in California's public elementary schools. For more information, see www.californiadictionaryproject.org. or contact Barry Graynor, President, at [phone].

HEROES (Helpers Engaged in Reaching Oakland's Excelling Schools) is the volunteer placement program for the Oakland Unified School District. Its mission is to enhance the positive development and quality of educational experience for students in the Oakland public schools by encouraging and promoting volunteerism in the community. The HEROES program recruits, trains and supports volunteers assisting in Oakland schools. For more information, see www.oaklandheroes.org, or contact Donna Russell, Director, at [phone]