EVERETT — If children are reading this story, you might have United Way of Snohomish County and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to thank.
United Way joined forces with Imagination Library in June 2023, and began shipping books to families two months later. In just under a year, United Way shipped more than 100,000 free books to children in Snohomish County, the nonprofit announced in a press release.
“Access to early literature helps shape future academic success and lifelong learning,” said Maya Hemachandra, interim president and chief executive officer for United Way of Snohomish County, in a press release. “Knowing that so many families within our community are benefiting from this program and receiving these books is a huge milestone we are proud to celebrate.”
The Imagination Library delivers age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5, every month until their fifth birthday.
There is no cost to families, but parents must register their children to be enrolled in the program, the press release said. Once registered, books will begin arriving within 8 to 12 weeks. Currently, almost 11,000 children are enrolled in the program and receiving these books, with an additional 40,000 eligible to receive books but not yet signed up, according to United Way.
United Way launched the partnership to uphold its goal to improve childhood literacy rates, foster a love of books and promote a culture of reading.
Families not currently enrolled in the program or those interested in additional information can learn more by visiting uwsc.org/freebooksforkids.
Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ihenpecked.
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