Program: Marianne Temple, Evergreen Rotary
Imagination Library, Dolly Parton’s Literacy Project
Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library Project because she remembers that many children in her community could not read. It is based on the premise that young children need the human contact that reading a book provides. This is what we learned about the project:
- Children are registered for the program at birth and they receive books up through age five, 60 for each child. The books are sent in the child’s name via US Mail monthly.
- Children who have books to read or have books read to them are more likely to succeed.
- The purpose of Imagination Library is to develop child interest in reading so that they will be inspired to learn more, and grow more.
- The project sends over one million books every month to children in the US, Canada and the UK.
- Local non-profits support the projects in their communities. Pueblo Colorado has 5000 children in their project! The sponsoring agencies are the funding sources to get the books mailed to the homes in their communities. Dolly-Wood Foundation provides the data base and has a connection to Puffin Books, which creates excellent books for kids. The DollyWood Foundation is also providing conferences for educators and people interested in providing books for children.
- Former Rotary President, John Germ, embraced the Imagination Library for Rotary last year.
- In 2005, the Rotary Club of Evergreen partnered with MRC to develop an Imagination Library Project for their early childhood program. In 2015, Marianne Temple took over the project at Evergreen Rotary. The program expanded into Clear Creek County, partnering with organizations that work with young children. It now is supporting programs in 15 mountain communities.
- For more information, go to http://www.imaginationlibrary.org
Evergreen Rotary is engaging the other Area 8 Rotary Clubs to expand the project to all the local mountain communities. Each Club will be asked to provide a percentage of funding based on numbers of members. A letter will go to families with information about the program and about Rotary sponsorship.
Guests: Marlis McAlister
Announcements/Business:
The President’s Business:
- Finn requests that each member try to visit other Rotary Clubs.
- There is an official Rotary Peak Hike August 5. We need volunteers to be hosts to distribute brochures and pass out the “I hiked Rotary Peak” pins at the trail head on Loveland Pass on Saturdays. The kit with all the supplies are to be picked up at the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center, 303-569-2405.
- Mat Matson plans to be here for his 80th birthday and all are invited to join him at Wild Game. There will be complimentary appetizers and cash bar. The date is August 4 from 4-7pm. He asks that instead of gifts, please plan to donate to the Evergreen Rotary Foundation in support of the Nepal projects.
- The Conifer Interact is planning to apply for the Presidential citation to celebrate their many accomplishments.
- The next quarterly bill will include the $5 dues increase.
- Finn plans a visioning meeting in September. The meeting will last approximately 4 hours and will provide members the opportunity to set the future for the Club. Think about your ideas for re-invigorating the Club.
- The Rotary District 5450 Governor will be at our meeting next week. Please let Finn know what topics you would like him to discuss.
Club Business:
- Thanks to Conifer Rotarians who helped at the Evergreen Center for the Arts Summerfest event last Saturday. The money raised provides programs for kids and adults and will help with the new building.
- The Conifer Rotary Foundation meeting will be held after the regular Club meeting August 8. There will be a discussion about a fund-raising event for next summer.
- The Evergreen Blue Grass Festival will be held Saturday August 19. Volunteers can sign up on the website. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Back Pack Project.