UWWH receives funds for Dolly’s Imagination Library
United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties is the local program partner with Imagination Library of Ohio and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program where children age 0-5 can be enrolled to receive one book per month up to their fifth birthday.
The United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties received a $10,000 grant from the Holmes County commissioners, a $7,000 grant from the Hugo and Mabel Young Foundation, and a $2,500 grant from Walmart Millersburg, store #1724, to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Holmes County. Killbuck Community Improvement Corp, Millersburg Tire Company and The Glass Doctor also sent in financial support for this program.
In July a fundraiser was hosted that brought in an additional $20,000. Local financial sponsors included The Millersburg Eagles #2418, The Stables at Arrowhead Lakes, Owens Real Estate Firm, Pomerene, Killbuck Savings Bank, Germain Honda at College Hills, Hummel, CSB, American Legion #192, Local 94, Chevrolet of Millersburg, and many individual and anonymous donors.
United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties is the local program partner with Imagination Library of Ohio and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program where children age 0-5 can be enrolled to receive one book per month up to their fifth birthday. The books are age-appropriate, new and addressed to the child. If enrolled at birth, the child will go to kindergarten with a personal library of 60 books.
“While we are so blessed to have support from the State of Ohio — and Dolly Parton’s foundation makes the books very affordable — it still costs our organization about $26 per child enrolled to receive their monthly book,” said Katie Koglman, CEO of United Way of Wayne and Holmes. “Support from the commissioners and Walmart means almost 480 children in Holmes County will receive one book per month this year. In fact, every donation means more children can be enrolled. We are so appreciative of this support.”
Currently, there are 1,531 children in Holmes County enrolled in the program, and 1,049 children have graduated from the program.
United Way of Wayne and Holmes recently partnered with The College of Wooster, AMRE project to conduct a research project to reveal the benefits of the program locally. Surveys were sent to all enrolled families, and the feedback was very positive. The survey looked at changes in reading habits, affordability of books overall and how they feel about this program, and 75% of families reported an increase in excitement about reading. They also strongly agreed this program is providing relationship-building within their family and is preparing their children for kindergarten. Most people heard about this program via word-of-mouth.
If you have a child age 0-5, they can enroll at any age, unless they will be 5 within three months. Call United Way of Wayne and Holmes to enroll at 330-264-5576 or email Debbie Stutz at debbie@uwwh.org. You do not need an email address to enroll.