Young children are again receiving a book a month as part of the Imagination Library program.
An infusion of funding, including an anonymous $100,000 donation and $78,000 from Montezuma County, puts the literacy program in a position for long term sustainability.
But more fundraising is needed, said organizer Karen Sheek.
The program has raised $204,000 but if it can hit the goal of $250,000 it would be enough to create an endowment fund with Onward! A Legacy Foundation.
The annual interest of $10,000 to $15,000 would be enough to fund the Imagination Library for decades into the future, Sheek said.
“We’re within striking distance, and are reaching out to potential donors,” she said.
Empire Electric agreed to an annual donation of $3,000, and the Ballantine Family Fund contributed $15,000. The $78,000 county contribution came from the Secure Rural Schools tax revenue that is earmarked for education purposes.
Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to five years old. The local chapter services children in Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
Books are chosen by a panel of childhood literacy experts and purchased by the Dolly Parton Foundation. The local Imagination Library chapter pays the postage at a cost of $25 per year per child.
The books are addressed to the child — something Parton has insisted upon — and each month a book is delivered to the child at no cost to the family. Each child receives 12 books per year they keep.
“A child in the program all five years ends up with a library of 60 books,” Sheek said. “Supporting childhood literacy is so important for the future of our youth.”
The local program is currently serving 229 kids in Montezuma and Dolores Counties, with the goal of reaching 600 kids or more.
In 2017, 650 children were enrolled, and another 542 had aged out of the program. The program was discontinued in 2019 because of a lack of funding.
A dedicated group of volunteers including Sheek, Vangi McCoy, Cathi Marler, Joanie Howland, and Chuck Forth have been working to revive it.
“With an endowment, the interest earned pays for the program every year and it does not have to solely rely on annual fundraising, which is why it had to shut down before,” Sheek said. “The investment would fund this program for decades to come, giving the children in our community the gift of reading and laying a good foundation for future success in school.”
The program was founded in Tennessee by Dolly Parton in 1995 as a tribute to her father who was illiterate. By 2000 it had expanded to a national campaign and by 2005 an international committee was formed.
Imagination Library delivered their one millionth book in 2003 and as of 2016 they were delivering one million books a month with distribution in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and Ireland.
If you would like to give a child in our community the gift of reading, consider making a donation to Imagination Library. Donations can be mailed to Forth & Associates; 33 N. Chestnut St., Cortez, CO 81321. Please stipulate that your donation is for Imagination Library. Donations in any amount are appreciated.
Imagination Library will officially re-launch in September, but 229 children have already been enrolled and are eagerly awaiting their first book. Contact Kathi Marler at the Montezuma County Public Health Department (970-564-4779) to enroll, or ask for an application at your local public library. All children from birth to five years are eligible.
