A local nonprofit is continuing to seek donors to help fund free books for children.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which provides a book every month to children from birth until five years old, is funded by collaboration between the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and local organizations. In Nez Perce County in Idaho, and Asotin County in Washington, that organization is Twin County United Way.
“People hear ‘free books’ and may not realize the community investment that makes the program possible,” said Twin County United Way CEO Kristin Kemak. “We are proud to fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library because every child deserves the opportunity to grow up with books in their home.”
Sara Alder, a Lewiston mom, says her son Bjorn loved the monthly delivery.
“He would immediately grab it out of my hands and ask me to open it,” she said. “He was so excited, he literally couldn't wait to rip into the plastic to start reading the book.”
Since the program started in Nez Perce and Asotin counties, Twin County United Way reports that more than 52,000 books have been mailed locally, and over 1,000 children have graduated from the program after turning five.
“This is about more than a book arriving in the mail,” Kemak said. “It’s about a child opening that package, sitting down with someone they love and sharing a story. Those simple moments can help shape a child’s future.”
However, while books are free to children, Kemak said the nonprofit still relies on donations to support the program. The organization has also seen 85 new registrations in the past two weeks following Parton’s death, Kemak said.
There are currently more than 1,400 children enrolled in the local chapter, Kemak said. The program costs $28.80 per child per year, and the whole program, including administration costs, is around $40,000 per year.
That cost would be higher, but due to a two-year $3 million grant Imagination Library of Washington received from the Roots & Wings Foundation, alongside a tiered donation by the JTMF Foundation, books for the 484 children registered in Asotin County cost the organization 50% less than they otherwise would.
That money takes over for state contributions that ended last year and will last through June of 2027.
Twin County United Way is currently seeking donors to meet a $60,000 fundraising goal for the Imagination Library program in both counties. Kemak said those donations will allow the nonprofit to continue offering the service, manage growth and plan for the future.
“We are grateful for the donors who have joined us as ‘Friends of Dolly’ with gifts of $200, as well as the sponsors whose support is already making a meaningful difference,” Kemak said.
Read the audio transcript here.
