Issue: Limited access to books and educational resources can hinder children's early development and readiness for school. Many families, especially in underserved communities, may struggle to afford books for their young ones, leading to a potential disadvantage in their educational journey.

UWCG's Role: United Way of Central Georgia takes an active role in addressing this issue through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL). As an initiative of UWCG, DPIL aims to bridge the gap by providing free books to children aged birth to five years in Bibb County Public School attendance zones: Heritage, Union, Veterans, or John R. Lewis Elementary Schools, and those enrolled in Bibb Head Start programs. This program is made possible through a valuable partnership with the Bibb County School District and The Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA) Grant.

Impact: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has a profound impact on children and families in Central Georgia. By gifting books to young minds, DPIL inspires a love for reading and nurtures a positive learning experience. As parents and caregivers read with their children, they introduce them to a rich vocabulary and diverse sentence structures, building a strong foundation for their cognitive development and future success in education.

Through this initiative, United Way of Central Georgia empowers families to create a culture of reading at home, supporting children's educational journey and preparing them for a bright future. By providing free books to those who may not have access to them otherwise, DPIL cultivates a sense of wonder, imagination, and discovery in children, opening doors to endless opportunities for learning and growth.

Together, we are creating a community where every child can explore the joys of reading, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. With Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, we celebrate the power of books to shape young minds and make a lasting impact on our children's lives.

YOU CAN HELP!

The average retail cost of Imagination Library titles is about $13 per book. However, by purchasing in volume, the Imagination Library is able to acquire and mail customized titles for about $2.10 per child per month. Every child enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library receives one free book per month in the mail from birth to five years old.

For a donation of just $126, YOU can provide ONE book per MONTH to a child in our community for the first FIVE years of his/her life.

For more information about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library please contact: