Washington adds to its rapidly growing list of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliates, as they welcome Whidbey Community Foundation to the affiliate team! With the exciting launch of this new program affiliate in Island County, Whidbey Community Foundation’s support and commitment to supporting children in their community now rounds out coverage for all of Island County.

“Whidbey Community Foundation is thrilled to partner with The Dollywood Foundation to bring the Imagination Library to Whidbey Island! We are deeply committed to the well-being of young children and their families, and a program like this to bring free, high-quality books into the hands of all young children in our community is cause for celebration as we enter the new year. Thank you to our state legislators for your commitment to Washington’s children and to the Imagination Library of Washington for your support in this expansion effort. Happy reading!” said Jessie Gunn, Executive Director of the Whidbey Community Foundation.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails high quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to five years old, at no cost to the family. This early literacy program is proven to achieve equitable access to books, increase school readiness, foster a love of reading and books, and improve family engagement. Dolly’s inspiration behind creating the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home state of Tennessee can be attributed to her father and his inability to read. Inspiring kids to love to read became her mission and to-date, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted over 195 million books to children in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

Families with eligible children in Island County are now able to register and begin receiving a free book for their child every month, mailed directly to their home until the child’s fifth birthday. Families can enroll online by visiting www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/check_availability.

Whidbey Community Foundation joins current program affiliate, Stanwood-Camano Rotary Club, who is serving 750 children to-date. In total, over 4,600 children under the age of five are eligible for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Island County.  

“Island County has cause for celebration in this month of joy and giving, as Whidbey Community Foundation becomes an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library closing program coverage gaps for Island County early learners. Stanwood-Camano Rotary Club already provides coverage to the children of Camano in Island County.  Thank you, Whidbey Community Foundation for giving the gift of literacy to your children, helping them to learn, imagine and connect! You are providing one of the most powerful reinforcements that leads to a child’s well-being and success,” stated Executive Director of the Imagination Library of Washington, Brooke Fisher-Clark.

Program coverage is expanding rapidly across Washington, signing on new affiliate organizations to bring the Imagination Library to families and children in every Washington county and zip code. Currently, over 41,000 children between birth and five years old are experiencing the magic of a free book each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, provided by 38 Washington affiliates.  To check program availability in your area and enroll your child for free monthly books, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.