In 2016, the Lynden Lions started our own chapter of the Imagination Library for our areas children. The Imagination Library was created by Dolly Parton in her hometown in Tennessee to provide books to children each month from the ages of 0-5 years. This was to encourage literacy and hopefully help the childred to further their education and their lot in life.
Dolly Parton, in her research discovered that children who had more opportunities to read at home with their parents before starting school, developed stronger reading levels compared to the children who do not have that same opportunity. Through determination, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has been spreading throughout North America and the world , giving children a chance to read together with their parents.
The Lions were introduced to the Imagination Library Program by Donn Zver and Jeanne Smitiuch. Donn has been a staunch supporter of this program and has helped us many times with fund raising projects through which children are enrolled.
We decided to form a committee to bring this program to the Lynden area. The process for setting up the program in Lynden was much easier than expected, we received help from the head of the Canadian division, Jeanne Smitiuch. She took us through the steps to creating our own chapter, and offered assisstance in enrolling our first few applicants.
Each child is entered in our database . The program asks for the name of the child, address, age and birthday to ensure that each child receives their book every month until their 5th birthday.
The Lions club pays for the monthly cost per child. Each month a book is delievered by Canada Post in the childs name right to their door FREE!
Each month our club now pays for 75+ children to receive a free book.
Since the program was initiated in Lynden we have had several hundred children pass through the system!
*******************
To Access the Form click the Link below:
The Imagination Library Sign Up Form
***********************
Here's how it works
Here are a few videos of Dolly speaking about the Imagination Library
