Story courtesy of Hailey Winkleman for WROY/WRUL News
The regular meeting of the Carmi Lions Club held on August 6 had a special guest; Beth Conner presented a program about the newly available Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Beth handed out some literature and explained how Dolly Parton started the program in honor of her father who didn’t know how to read or write. The program gives any child birth-5 years a free book each month that is age appropriate and considers developmental needs. Reading aloud to children positively impacts their brain development. Beth handed out a sample book which shows how they have information about how to utilize the book aside from simply reading it.
Local partners cover the books at-cost but it does require a financial partner to completely cover the program. State funding was allocated last year by the Governor for facilitating the Imagination Library, which is happening in our area through a non-profit Read SI Foundation and covers 18 counties. Most counties are not fully-funded, including White County. The cost per child is $13.30 per year because of the state subsidy.
About 37% (259 as of today) of the 687 eligible children in White County are currently enrolled after just 1 month of launch. We have the 4th highest enrollment in our region. The general goal is 65%, but Beth emphasized that she wants to get enrollment to 100%. Donations can be made, and children can enroll, at readsi.org. However, online donations may not be earmarked for our county specifically. Beth can accept cash or check and earmark it specifically for our county if someone would like to do so. Their funding goal must be reached by September 30.
The Club was excited by this program and how it can help families in our county. In a closed session after Beth’s presentation, the Lions voted to donate $500 to the program. On August 14, Secretary Hailey Winkleman presented the check to Beth at Little Sprouts Learning Center.
The Lions Club of Carmi would like to thank Beth for coming to speak, and the team putting together this program for supporting the youth in our region. If you are interested in presenting a program to the Club, please contact Secretary Hailey Winkleman at [email protected].
Save the Dates for our upcoming breakfasts as well:
August – NO BREAKFAST
September 21 – Supporting Carmi League of Arts
October 19 – Supporting Patriot Riders of America
November 16 – More Information to Come
December 14 – More Information to Come
