MARYSVILLE — The Rotary Club of Marysville’s longstanding commitment to student literacy showed a new wrinkle as they recently awarded their first funds through their new school request program.

On Friday, March 23, the Marysville Rotary distributed nearly 900 dictionaries to third-grade students throughout the Marysville School District.

On Monday, March 26, the Marysville Rotary dispensed $14,250 in checks to elementary schools throughout the Marysville School District during its Board meeting.

Principals from the Cascade, Sunnyside, Shoultes, Marshall, Liberty, Quil Ceda/Tulalip and Pinewood elementary schools received $1,500 each, while principals from the Kellogg Marsh, Allen Creek and Grove elementary schools received $1,250 each.

Rather than awarding uniform amounts to each school, the Marysville Rotary’s literacy school request program dispenses different amounts based on applications submitted by each school, which specify the materials that would be funded by those dollars.

Marysville Rotary Vice President Daryn Bundy was among those who credited Marysville Rotary Pumpkin Patch Chair Mitch DePriest and Kelly Sheward of the Marysville School District with contributing to the revenues raised by the “Pumpkins for Literacy” program in 2011, DePriest by devoting “countless hours” to coordinating volunteers, and Sheward by helping to ensure that all of the elementary schools visited the Marysville Rotary’s pumpkin patch at the Smokey Point Plant Farm last October, a first in terms of turnout for the event.

“The Rotary and the school district have a great partnership,” Bundy said. “With events like the opportunity expo coming up in April, it shows we’re only heading in the right direction.”

Marysville School District Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland expressed his gratitude to the Rotary Club of Marysville for all it’s done for the school district.