COLONIAL BEACH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BRINGS DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY TO LOCAL CHILDREN

Free monthly books will help build literacy skills and foster a love of reading for children from birth to age five.

COLONIAL BEACH, Va. — The Colonial Beach Community Foundation recently announced it will serve as the local fiscal sponsor for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, bringing the internationally recognized early literacy program to children living in Colonial Beach ZIP code 22443.

The program will provide free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth until their fifth birthday, helping families build home libraries and prepare children for success in school.

Enrolled children will receive one book delivered directly to their home every month at no cost to their families. The Commonwealth covers 50 percent of the cost of books and postage, making it possible for local donations to have an even greater impact.

"Nothing is more basic, more essential, or more foundational to a child's success in life than the ability to read well," said Dan Wildman, President of the Colonial Beach Community Foundation. "By bringing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to Colonial Beach, we can put books directly into the hands of young children, strengthen family reading habits, and help ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to learn."

Research consistently shows that early exposure to books helps develop vocabulary, literacy skills, and a lifelong love of reading.

Parents and guardians with children from birth to age five who live in ZIP code 22443 are encouraged to register for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and begin receiving free books delivered directly to their homes each month. At age 5, children will be invited to a quarterly graduation celebration at the library in Colonial Beach to receive a certificate, tour the library, and get their own library card.

Enrollment is simple and free. Parents and guardians can register online at https://tinyurl.com/DPILCBVA or download the registration form from the Foundation’s website at www.cbcommunityfoundation.org and mail it to CBCF, PO Box 375, Colonial Beach, VA 22443.

Community members interested in supporting the program through donations may do so at https://givebutter.com/CBDollyPartonImaginationLibrary.

For more information, to register a child, or to support the program, contact info@cbcommunityfoundation.org.

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About Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is the world's leading early childhood book-gifting program. As the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 300 million free books to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

The program is made possible through a unique partnership model in which funding is shared between Dolly, her Foundation, and hundreds of Local Community Partners. Today, the Imagination Library mails over 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month directly to children's homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five—at no cost to their families.

Inspired by her own father's struggles with literacy, Dolly created the Imagination Library to spark a lifelong love of reading and to inspire all children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.