Alexandria — Students and teachers at John Adams Elementary School gathered in the

school library Feb. 23 as representatives from the Alexandria West Rotary Club distributed hundreds of books to third and fourth grade students, continuing a club tradition to promote reading as well as the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.”

“What we have done for the past few years is donate books to third and fourth graders at elementary schools around the West End of Alexandria,” said Paul Kentes, a Rotarian and one of the organizers of the book donation. “The third graders receive an amazing dictionary, which contains much more that the standard dictionary and the fourth graders receive chapter books. This year the fourth graders received the book ‘Because of Winn-Dixie’ by Kate DiCamillo, which we selected from the school’s recommended student reading list.”

The delivery of books to John Adams was the culmination of a program that saw the club distribute thousands of books to third and fourth grade student at Samuel Tucker, Patrick Henry and James Polk elementary schools.

“On the 112th Anniversary of Rotary International, which was Feb. 23, the Rotary Club of Alexandria West set out to uphold the ideals of their organization,” Kentes added. “We are committed to supporting the West End community of our city.”