| Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Offers Free Books to Preschool Children Kick-off Planned for Nov. 10 |
The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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Any registration received at the HCCF office by 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 will ensure a child will receive a book in the mail in January.
To register, a special "kick-off" event is planned for Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Harrison County Public Library Children's Library in Corydon. Members of the Metro United Way Success By 6 team will be available to meet with families and register children for this outstanding program. The event will include a clown, registrations, refreshments and door prizes. Door prizes will be drawn from the registration forms received at the kick-off.
Additionally, the Metro United Way Success By 6 team will set up registration booths at the Corydon Wal-Mart Supercenter on Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Imagination Library is a home library for preschool children. It was created to stimulate children's imaginations and encourage reading within the family at an early age. A panel of child educators selects the books for the library each year, always beginning the series with a special copy of "The Little Engine That Could."
Parents wishing to enroll their children may do so at the Harrison County Community Foundation or at any of the following locations:
Harrison County Community Services
Harrison County Health Dept.
Harrison County Hospital Obstetrics Dept.
Harrison County Public Library
First Steps near Rainbow's End Childcare in Corydon
YMCA of Harrison County
The Dollywood Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation founded in 1988 by Dolly Parton to support educational projects and improve the quality of life in Dolly's native Sevier County, Tenn. The mission of the foundation is to share the life and legacy of Dolly Parton as an inspiration for children to "Dream More...Learn More...Care More...and Be More."
In December 1999, Parton announced that she would extend the opportunity to communities to replicate The Imagination Library in their own area. While each community must financially support its own effort, the Dollywood Foundation will provide technical assistance in setting up the program, assist with public relations and marketing materials, work with Parton on national/international promotional efforts, and convene the growing network to inspire, share and innovate. The Dollywood Foundation will also manage the composition of the library and coordinate the ordering and mailing of the books to maximize cost effectiveness.
The experiences of thousands of families, as well as research in child development, affirm the benefits of early learning experiences for children. Research shows that activities such as reading regularly with children, beginning in infancy, can produce a significant growth in IQ, which lasts a child's lifetime. Parents are the first and most important teachers their children will ever have, the Dollywood Foundation said.
"Harrison County is a strong community that works together in so many ways," said HCCF board president Jane Kraft. "We are delighted to work with the Success By 6 group, public library, Healthy Families and others. We can't thank them enough for helping make this program a reality."
Anyone interested in receiving more information is encouraged to contact the Harrison County Community Foundation at 738-6668 or visit www.imaginationlibrary.com. Registrations are also available online at www.imaginationlibrary.com.