We are Celebrating the 3 Year Anniversary of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with a Giveaway
Wednesday January 18th, 2012
In February, the United Way of Elgin will celebrate the three year anniversary 
of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the area. The program sends free books every month to children from birth to age five in Elgin, South Elgin, Burlington, Hampshire, La Fox, and Pingree Grove. Parents must register their children to receive the free books. Since launching in the area in February 2009, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has sent over 79,000 books to 4,767 children.
“The program has been extremely successful,” said Lynne Bosley, President of the United Way of Elgin. “This program increases the percentage of children entering kindergarten who are prepared to succeed and have the skills necessary to learn to read.” In a 2011 survey, 61% of parent respondents claimed that they read to their child more often since enrolling in the program, and 93% believe it has helped prepare their children for kindergarten.
To celebrate the three year anniversary, the United Way of Elgin will give away a set of Imagination Library Train Bookends. Any new registration received in February will be entered to win.
The United Way of Elgin and community partners have a goal of reaching 5,500 children by the end of this year. Parents can learn how to register their children to receive books here.
If you would like more information, please call the United Way office at (847) 741-2259 or e-mail Diane O’Connor, Director of Community Impact, at doconnor@uwelgin.org.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was started by Dolly Parton in 1996 in her hometown, and launched as a national program in 2000. The goal is to foster a love of reading by providing all children, regardless of family income, with a library of books. At United Way of Elgin, the program is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Foundation, EFS Foundation, and Fideliter Club of Elgin. The program is one of many Education Initiatives that work to give families the capacity to act as primary caregivers, with particular focus on creating home and school environments where children and youth have every opportunity to become literate, secure, and prepared for productive adulthood.
