Sharing the love of reading

United Way Glenelg has announced a significant milestone with 51 per cent of Glenelg Shire eligible children — from birth to age 5 — enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in February, which means 466 children now receive free books.

Executive officer Nicole Carr said the program had come so far from the 39 per cent enrolment at the end of last year.

“The program has sparked such an amazing opportunity for our little ones to learn before they start kindergarten and school,” she said.

United Way Glenelg has been actively pushing to make Imagination Library books available to young children in every single town of the Glenelg Shire.

Additionally, Ms Carr announced that more than 46,000 Imagination Library books have been mailed to children since 2013, when Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was first established.

“Contrary to what some may think, Dolly doesn’t fund the program. Each community is responsible for raising funds to operate it,” she said.

Portland Aluminium has been unwavering in its support for the program and intends to continue in the future. However, as the program expands, the requirement for additional funding persists.

“The conventional sources of funding have become limited,” Ms Carr said. “We cannot repeatedly approach the same organisations and businesses to supplement the funds.

“We have established a sub-fund to secure long-term financial resources for the program. While this is building in value, we are actively seeking new businesses or organisations within the community to contribute to the future of our children by investing in the early years.”

Imagination Library program is inclusive and not income-biased, welcoming all children residing in the Glenelg Shire. Over the past decade, close to 900 children have participated in this enriching program.

Support the children in our community to receive books, by considering a donation through our GiveNow https://www.givenow.com.au/uwgimaginationlibrary or contacting us directly at 0410 513 305.