Babies born at local hospitals receive books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Each child enrolled in the program receives a new, age-appropriate book every month from enrollment through age 5
– Adventist Health on the Central Coast has partnered with United Way of San Luis Obispo County to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Through this partnership, all babies born at Adventist Health Twin Cities and Adventist Health Sierra Vista can enroll in the program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launched in 1995 to foster a love of reading among preschool children and their families. Each child enrolled in the program receives a new, age-appropriate book every month from enrollment through age 5, helping them build their own personal library. Since launching the program in 2011, United Way of San Luis Obispo County has mailed more than 38,000 books to local children.
“Through this collaboration with United Way of San Luis Obispo County and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’re proud to help bring the joy of books into the homes of local children and encourage early literacy from the very start,” said Ryan Ashlock, president of Adventist Health on the Central Coast.
Adventist Health on the Central Coast presented a check to representatives of United Way on Monday, June 9. The donation will help fund the mailing and distribution of Imagination Library books to children in the county.
Adventist Health on the Central Coast is a non-profit faith-based organization that operates two hospitals across San Luis Obispo County: Adventist Health Sierra Vista in San Luis Obispo and Adventist Health Twin Cities in Templeton. It also manages a network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout the county.
United Way of San Luis Obispo County has served the county’s residents for six decades. The organization focuses its efforts on early childhood education and community strengthening.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which began in 1995, has become a leading early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted more than 270 million free books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. The program’s funding is shared by The Dollywood Foundation and local community partners.
Research demonstrates its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. More information is available at imaginationlibrary.com.
