Rotary Club of Clovis shares gift of reading

Local second-graders now have one more book to read, thanks to the Rotary Club of Clovis.

Rotary member Calvin DeWitt said the books cost about $3,800. The Rotary Club gave 670 books as a part of a grant that partially covers some of the costs from Rotary International.

Prior to July 1, there were two Rotary clubs in Clovis: Clovis High Plains Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Clovis. The two clubs merged and are now called the Rotary Club of Clovis; this was their first project together.

The book, "Andy & Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure," shares the story of a young entrepreneur named Andy. With the help of a mysterious voice in his head, Andy learns the value of truth, fairness, goodwill, friendships, and doing what will benefit all who are involved while starting an apple dumpling business venture with his neighbor Elmer.

According to a press release, the story shares the system of beliefs of The Rotary Four-Way Test:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

"It has good moral principles for the second-graders. And so that's why we chose it," DeWitt said.

"It's just basically good life lessons to live by," said Alissa Johnson, vice president of the Rotary Club of Clovis. "We're just trying to kind of get that out to people that's something fun to read."

DeWitt said 473 other Rotary clubs have also adopted the book for their literacy project.

"You just can't believe the poverty level that's tied to literacy," DeWitt said. "Everything is tied to literacy, right? And so that's just what we said, was we have got to do something about this."