Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is Here!
The Wabasso Area Early Childhood Coalition, in partnership with the Southwest Initiative Foundation and the Redwood County United Way, is excited to announce that they are replicating the Imagination Library in the Wabasso area. This means that every child who lives in the Wabasso school district who is between the ages of birth to age 5 is eligible to receive an age-appropriate hard cover book each month. The best part is the program is absolutely free for the children and parents. Parents must register their child by filling out a registration form and returning it to the Redwood County United Way. Registration forms will be available at Wabasso Area Early Childhood Coalition Music in the Parks events throughout the summer, at local agencies/business serving young families, or by contacting Dawn Guetter, local co-coordinator at (507)342-7195.
The Imagination Library was created by Dolly Parton in 1996 so that every preschool child in her home of Sevier County, Tennessee, would have their own library of books that would encourage in them a love of reading and learning. The program was so successful and generated such interest from across the country that, after much thought, Dolly decided to offer her Imagination Library for replication in any community that would support it. The total cost of the program is only $27 per child, per year, which is covered by donations and charitable contributions. The Wabasso Area Early Childhood Coalition has decided to use part of their Early Childhood Initiative grant through the Southwest Initiative Foundation to launch this program in the Wabasso Area. Donations for the Wabasso Area Imagination Library are being accepted through the Redwood County United Way at P.O. Box 455, Redwood Falls, MN 56283.
