By: Juli Metzger—
New Castle, IN and Winchester, IN – United Way of Delaware County’s generous donors, volunteers and dedicated staff have been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for every single person in our community since our foundation in 1925. As United Way of Delaware County expanded to serve Henry and Randolph Counties too, their work remains driven by each community’s aspirations. In listening to and learning from residents of Henry and Randolph counties, people had a desire to improve early childhood education.
As a result, United Way is investing in early childhood education by bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the children of Henry and Randolph Counties. Since its launch in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has mailed over 100 million free books to children worldwide. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading to inspire children to dream.
Through this program, United Way aims to share Dolly’s vision with children and their families in our community. Children below the age of five in Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties are eligible to receive high quality, age-appropriate books sent to their homes on a monthly basis. Support from donors in each county allows for there to be no cost to the families enrolled in this program. A gift of $25 to United Way provides a year’s worth of books to a child.
“Research has shown that children enrolled in Imagination Library for three to four years are more likely to be ready for kindergarten, including children from minority and low-income families,” said United Way President and CEO, Jenni Marsh. “We are thrilled to bring this truly effective program to the children of Henry and Randolph counties.”
To begin the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Henry and Randolph Counties, United Way is sponsoring 400 enrollments in each county on a first-come first-served basis. As children reach the age of 5 and graduate from the program, continuous enrollment spots will become available.
To learn more or register a child, visit here.
About United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties
United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties focuses resources on education, health and financial stability. The non-profit fights to create lasting change in community conditions. With its bold goal to reach grade-level reading by 2024, United Way works to help children read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. Learn more at invitedtoliveunited.org.
