#GivingTuesday – Turning the Page on Early Childhood Literacy: Story Time with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
(MUSKEGON & OCEANA, MI) On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. United Way of the Lakeshore is pleased to announce that the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is its focus for #GivingTuesday. The aim is to enrich the reading proficiency of children across our Lakeshore communities. NICHOLS has pledged a $35,000 match through the United Way of the Lakeshore, to the individual gifts that support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Christine Robere, President & CEO, United Way of the Lakeshore, said, “All funds raised by United Way of the Lakeshore on Giving Tuesday will go to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our community. With the generous matching funds by NICHOLS and many individual donors, we are able to provide children under five who live in our Lakeshore community with an age appropriate book mailed to them each month.” Robere added, “Already, over 4,000 early learners are receiving their books thanks to the generosity of NICHOLS and so many individual donors in our area.” Robere said, “Books are provided for by the Dolly Parton Foundation, but that the annual cost of shipping and handling per child is $25 annually, or $125 for the 5 year duration for the program.
“My 3 year old and my 2 year old love being introduced to new authors. We like to read the bilingual books together, and they both are so excited when they get new books in the mail” said Lindsay, a Ravenna Community Member. Jess a member of the Muskegon Heights Community added, “I heard about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through the local libraries and my cousin at Catholic Charities. I love the program because they are high quality books. They are creative, bilingual and allow integrated play.”
To celebrate the generosity of our communities and to spotlight Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, United Way of the Lakeshore has partnered with Read Early Read Often and the Great Start Collaborative to host a Story Time. Children and their families can come to the United Way located on 31 E Clay Ave, to listen to Dolly Parton books, enjoy crafts, participate in fun-filled learning actives, and see Mr. and Mrs. Claus! This event is free to the community and will be held on Tuesday, November 27th from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. If you plan on attending, please RSVP by calling 231-332-4006 or emailing the United Way at dominique@unitedwaylakeshore.org
If you would like to help support the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in honor of #GivingTuesday Donate securely fund by cell phone: text GIVETUESDAY to 41444 or go to: unitedwaylakeshore.org/GiveTuesday