United Way distributes 200,000 books via Imagination Library

United Way Serving Howard and Tipton Counties is proud to celebrate a major milestone in its partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. More than 200,000 books have been distributed to children across the two counties since the program’s launch in August 2017.

The Imagination Library, an early literacy initiative founded by legendary entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton, provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income. The program could not be offered locally without the leadership of United Way Serving Howard and Tipton Counties.

United Way provides the funds for the books and the mailing costs, along with managing the enrollment. Through the support of local donors, volunteers, and community partners, United Way has helped ensure that thousands of children in Howard and Tipton counties are building strong foundations for a lifetime of learning and success.

“Ninety percent of physical brain development occurs in the first three years of life, when a baby forms over 1,000,000 new neural connections per second,” according to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.

The program’s impact is far-reaching. Studies show that children who are read to regularly in their early years perform better in school, develop stronger vocabularies, and build critical cognitive and social-emotional skills.

“United Way Serving Howard and Tipton Counties, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is proud to provide free, age-appropriate books to children under five years old in Howard and Tipton counties,” said Morgan Quinn, United Way’s Director of Community Impact and Engagement. “Since the program began locally, more than 7,000 children in our community have received free books through Imagination Library.

“Reading to children from an early age sets them up for long-term success and provides many cognitive, physical and emotional benefits. Investing in early literacy isn’t just about books - it’s about building a stronger, smarter, and more resilient community.”

For more information about the Imagination Library in Howard and Tipton Counties, including how to enroll a child or contribute to the program, visit howardandtiptonunitedway.org or contact Morgan Quinn, United Way Director of Community Impact and Engagement at 765-457-4357 or mquinn@howardandtiptonunitedway.org.

Use the link to securely make a donation today! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/imaginatlibr

United Way Serving Howard and Tipton Counties works to improve the lives of all individuals in Howard and Tipton counties through health, education and financial security. Through partners, donors, and volunteers, United Way makes it possible to serve our community while living United! 

Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book-gifting program that mails free books to children every month, from birth to age five, while partnering with a local organization to make the program free in their service area. The program has become one of the most recognized and impactful early childhood literacy efforts in the world.