Children in Lenawee County are reading more thanks to a $10,000 grant from Consumers Energy. This grant will purchase 4,000 books for Lenawee’s children through the Imagination Library.
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~Dr. Seuss
The Imagination Library delivers a new, age-appropriate book each month to registered children from birth to age five, who live in Lenawee County. The books are mailed directly to each child at his/her home from Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, where childhood literacy experts select the books, and a partnership with their printer greatly reduces the cost to the Lenawee Community Foundation.
The children get to keep the books, so a child registered at birth can accumulate a collection up to 60 books of their very own. Currently around 1,500 children in Lenawee County receive books each month. Titles include The Little Engine that Could, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Corduroy, All of Baby Nose to Toes, and more.
There is no cost to the families to receive books for their children. Individuals, foundations, and service clubs have been generous donors sponsoring the cost of $30 per child, per year.
The annual program cost totals approximately $50,000 per year. Because 90% of a child’s brain development occurs between birth and age 5, the Imagination Library is an excellent investment in children, which helps prepare them for kindergarten and life.
For information about sponsoring or registering a child contact Lenawee Community Foundation at 423-1729, Sue Hammersmith, or visit www.lenaweecf.com.
