According to a 2019 study, parents who read 1 picture book with their children every day provide their kids with exposure to an estimated 78,000 words each year. From birth to kindergarten, those children will have been exposed to 1.4 million more words than kids who have never been read to.
Early childhood literacy is a cornerstone of educational success, and school readiness is the first step on the path to a successful life. United Way’s commitment to early literacy aligns with its broader mission to address community needs through education, financial stability, and health programs. Therefore, we couldn’t think of a better way to help our youngest community members than by partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to put free books in the hands of kids from birth to age 5.
Dolly Parton, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, launched the Imagination Library in her hometown in Tennessee in 1995. Since then, it has become the premier, book-gifting program that mails FREE books to registered children every month from birth to age 5.
United Way of Washington County launched Imagination Library for area children in October 2024. Parents can register their children to receive one book per month delivered directly to their homes.
The high-quality books, including braille and bilingual options, support language development, critical thinking, and emotional bonding between children and their caregivers. In fact, children participating in programs like Imagination Library show a 28.9% increase in reading proficiency compared to their peers.
Imagination Library is made possible by the generosity of local donors. Contributions to United Way don’t just fund books—they support more than 25 vital programs that uplift families across Washington County. Together, these efforts are creating a brighter, more equitable future for the community.
Join the cause or learn more about Imagination Library at www.unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org/imagination-library.
United is The Way we help young people reach their full potential.