Friends of the Carnegie and the Herbert & Vivian Olson Children’s Reading Program recently donated $3,000 to the United Way of Bemidji Area.
The donation was in support of their Imagination Library Early Literacy Program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a worldwide program that promotes early childhood literacy by mailing age-appropriate books to children every month from birth until their fifth birthday.
“Reading aloud to young children is proven to build language skills, improve imagination and creativity, and help develop a strong parent-child bond,” said Executive Director of the United Way of Bemidji Area Denae Alamano.
“We are grateful to our community supporters for helping prepare children for success in learning by reading and sharing books together in the years before they start school
While the books are free to parents, the United Way of Bemidji Area covers all costs of the books and postage.
Parents and guardians in Beltrami, Hubbard, and Clearwater counties can enroll children from birth up to their fifth birthday at www.imaginationlibrary.com