SIDNEY — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a Shelby County United Way and Shelby County Libraries sponsored program, has been in Shelby County for over six years with over 165,023 books mailed to participants since the program’s inception. This program sends an age and developmentally appropriate book every month until their fifth birthday, totaling 60 books. This costs $25 per participant which is covered by donors and funding partners, allowing the program to be completely free to all children and their families. Wilson Health enrolls every baby born into the program, allowing them to start to build their libraries. When participants reach their fifth birthday, they are invited to a graduation ceremony at Amos Memorial Library.
Currently, an amazing 2,317 children in Shelby County are enrolled in the program. This is 66.20% of the eligible children population, ranking Shelby County number one in the state of Ohio. Amos Memorial Library manages the program, including tracking data and following up on mail returns. Know an eligible child ages 0-5 that isn’t enrolled? Have them visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/. Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.
The Shelby County United Way is a local 501c3 non-profit organization that has earned the highest rating from Charity Navigator eight out of the past nine years. Monies raised in the annual campaign are invested locally under the leadership and direction of our local volunteer Board of Directors and Community Allocation Volunteers. Through the sixth week of the campaign, the campaign total is $587,732. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403. Checks can be made payable to Shelby County United Way and mailed to P.O. Box 751, Sidney.
