50,000 Books + Countless Smiles Delivered

Washington County, OH — Marietta Community Foundation is pleased to announce a heartwarming milestone: as of December 2023, over 50,000 books have reached the eager hands of local children across Washington County through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.

The Imagination Library program, spearheaded by the iconic Dolly Parton, mails new, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children every month until their 5th birthday. The program aims to instill a love for reading, strengthen parent-child bonds, and equip children with essential skills for life.

Since 2017, Marietta Community Foundation has been at the forefront of this initiative, serving as the local affiliate for the International Imagination Library program. This commendable effort has touched the lives of 2,658 children, impacting families in every corner of Washington County.

Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation, expressed her excitement, stating, “Witnessing the joy on a child's face as they open a book is truly magical. These 50,000 books represent not just stories, but the promise of a brighter future through the power of education. We are immensely proud to be part of this journey with our community.”

Key Achievements:

• 51,521 books mailed since 2017

• 1,565 children actively receive books each month

• 1,093 children have graduated from the program

• 187 children are waitlisted, seeking additional funding for registration

The Heart of the Matter:

The Imagination Library program is offered free of charge to all children under the age of 5 and their families, regardless of income. However, to sustain this impactful initiative, Marietta Community Foundation relies on the generosity of donors and sponsors. Each $25 donation sponsors a child for one year, providing 12 books of joy and education.

• Sponsor a child for one year, providing 12 books - $25

• Sponsor a child for three years, providing 36 books - $75

• Sponsor a child for the whole program, providing 60 books - $125

How You Can Help:

To make a donation or register a child, visit https://www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library.

About Marietta Community Foundation

Marietta Community Foundation is where generous families, businesses, and nonprofits come together to transform lives and strengthen Washington County, Ohio — turning good intentions into great accomplishments. The Foundation has distributed more than $27 Million to charities since its creation in 1974 and currently manages over 350 funds while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Program Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 2 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More®.

The program has been widely researched and results demonstrate the positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Turning Laundry Time into Learning Time: Laundromat Libraries Expand to Beverly, Ohio

Washington County, OH — Following a successful pilot of the Laundromat Library installed in Marietta, Ohio, a second of its kind is now up and running in Beverly, Ohio.

The newly-installed Laundromat Library located at KBI Laundry in Beverly, Ohio

Laundromat Libraries, a program of Marietta Community Foundation, seeks to get more books into children's hands county-wide by establishing small libraries of books that children can take or borrow from laundromats in Washington County.

“Every book borrowed at our Laundromat Libraries is a step towards a brighter future,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “We're thrilled to bring this opportunity to the families of Beverly, Ohio, and nurture a love of reading throughout Washington County, one spin cycle at a time.”

The Beverly Laundromat Library is located at KBI Laundry, 505 Ullman Street in Beverly. The first is located at Old Town Express Laundry at 704 Pike St. in Marietta.

The books for each library were supplied by The UPS Store Marietta. Funding for the bookshelf was provided by the Dwight K. and Dorothy S. Hays Memorial Fund held at the Foundation.

Laundromats in Washington County willing to host a library are asked to contact Marietta Community Foundation at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org. The Foundation hopes to expand the program to reach every part of the County.

Noon Rotary Champions DPIL With $5,000 Gift

Washington County, OH — Marietta Noon Rotary Club has earned the distinguished title of the first Champion supporter of the Imagination Library this year, thanks to their generous $5,000 gift.

This esteemed book-gifting program, backed by Dolly Parton herself and local community partners, offers free books to children aged zero to five. Dolly's inspiration for the program came from her father's struggles with illiteracy, and since its inception in 1995, it has expanded to five countries and distributed over 204 million books to young readers.

Marietta Noon Rotary's $5,000 donation enabled the registration of the entire waitlist, allowing each child to receive a book every month. This significant contribution reinforces their commitment to the Imagination Library's mission.

Tony Huffman, outgoing president of Marietta Noon Rotary, highlights the alignment of the Imagination Library with the club's mission. Supporting the program means embracing the importance of reading and comprehension, making it a cause worth championing.

“Rotary is all about helping the underprivileged. Donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a great way to embrace that idea. The ability to read and comprehend well can be the saving grace for children living in poverty! I am encouraged to know that one in every ten kids in the USA, who are under the age of five years old, receive a book from Imagination Library free of charge. I am glad our Rotary group was able to give to this cause.”

“I am truly inspired by the incredible impact that the Imagination Library has on our community,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation.

“Through the generosity and support of partners like Marietta Noon Rotary Club, we have witnessed the magic of a child's imagination ignited by the gift of books. It is heartwarming to see our young readers eagerly flipping through the pages, discovering new worlds, and nurturing a lifelong love for learning. Together, we are empowering the next generation, building a stronger foundation for their future success.”

After their donation in May, the waitlist was cleared, and over a hundred more children have since signed up. To get involved and support the Imagination Library in Washington County, visit www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library for more information.

Rotary International was founded in 1905 in Chicago and is now the world’s largest international service organization with 1.2 million professional men and women as members. There are 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical regions.  Rotary initiates local and global projects to promote world understanding and peace and improve life conditions for people of all ages and cultures. Visit https://mariettanoonrotary.org/ for more information.

Marietta Community Foundation is where generous families, businesses, and nonprofits come together to transform lives and strengthen Washington County, Ohio — turning good intentions into great accomplishments. The Foundation has distributed more than $27 Million to charities since its creation in 1974 and currently manages over 350 funds while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.

Peoples Bank’s Support for DPIL Soars 250%

Washington County, OH — Inspired by the Belpre Rotary Club, Peoples Bank has elevated its support of the Washington County Imagination Library program, ensuring that over 100 local children receive a full year of books.

The contribution was sparked by a question asked by Linda Robinson, a dedicated member of the Belpre Rotary Club, during a presentation highlighting the positive impact of the Peoples Bank Foundation. Robinson expressed concern over the 101 children on the waiting list for the local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.

Pictured (left to right): Courtney Wentz (MCF), Aimee Seabolt (Peoples Bank), Linda Robinson (Belpre Rotary Secretary), and Jackie Poole (Belpre Rotary President)

In a heartwarming response, Kevin Eagan, Chief Marketing Officer at Peoples Bank, swiftly pledged their support, saying, "Yeah, we can take care of that." As a result, a generous donation of $2,525 was presented to Marietta Community Foundation at the subsequent Rotary Club meeting.

As the Washington County affiliate, Marietta Community Foundation plays a pivotal role in the program, contributing approximately $25 per child per year to cover book and mailing costs, while actively promoting enrollment. The total cost of a child's enrollment depends on the number of months until their fifth birthday, with a registration cost of $125 for those registered at birth.

Thanks to this sponsorship, 101 children will now receive a complete year of books, elevating Peoples Bank to a leader-level sponsor from their previous $1,000 friend-level sponsorship.

Aimee Seabolt (Peoples Bank) presents Courtney Wentz (MCF) with a $2,525 check for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Washington County, Ohio.

Reflecting on the partnership, Eagan stated, "Peoples Bank is dedicated to improving our communities, and we recognize that reading is a fundamental building block for a successful education. Supporting the Imagination Library in providing books to children in Washington County aligns perfectly with our mission. We extend our gratitude to Marietta Community Foundation, Belpre Rotary, and the Imagination Library Program for their exceptional work right here in the MOV."

The Imagination Library program, established by Dolly Parton in 1995, is a renowned book-gifting program that offers free books to children from birth to age five. The program is supported by funding from Dolly Parton herself and local community partners. It began in her home county and has now expanded to five countries, having delivered over 204 million books to young readers.

To enroll a child in the Washington County Imagination Library program or make a donation, please visit www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library for more information.

Kiwanis Club of Marietta Joins as a 2023 Sponsor of Washington County's Imagination Library Program

Washington County, OH — As one of the newest sponsors of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Washington County, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta has committed to supporting early childhood literacy and fostering a love for reading among children in the community.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a renowned book-gifting program that provides free books to children from birth to age five, supported by funding from Dolly Parton herself and local community partners. Inspired by her father's struggles with illiteracy, Dolly launched the program in 1995 in her home county. Today, it spans five countries and has delivered over 204 million books to young readers.

Through a generous donation of $2,500, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta enabled 34 children to be swiftly registered and removed from the program's waitlist.

When asked why the club chose to support the Imagination Library, President John Halliday said “Our focus is children from all walks of life and all ages, so it was the perfect fit. Through literacy, children grow and become productive members of society. And hopefully, one day they will join Kiwanis Club!”

"The Kiwanis Club of Marietta has opened doors for these children to embark on an exciting literary adventure," stated Heather Allender, President and CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. "The Imagination Library equips them with the essential tools to develop critical reading skills and unleash their imaginations."

As the Washington County affiliate, Marietta Community Foundation contributes approximately $25 per child per year to cover book and mailing costs while actively promoting the program to drive enrollment. The total cost of a child’s enrollment is dependent on the number of months until their fifth birthday. If a child is registered at birth, their registration cost totals $125. 

Registered children receive a carefully selected, age-appropriate, and high-quality book delivered straight to their doorstep each month. Depending on the time of their registration, children can build a personal library of 60 books before they enter Kindergarten, nurturing a strong foundation for their educational journey.

The impact of the Imagination Library program extends far beyond the joy of receiving a new book each month. By instilling a love for reading from an early age, the program contributes to the holistic development of children, enhancing their cognitive abilities, expanding their vocabulary, and fostering a lifelong passion for learning.

For more information on enrolling a child or to make a donation to the Washington County Imagination Library program, visit www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library.

Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs annually dedicate more than 18.5 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 558,000 adult and youth members in more than 82 countries and geographic areas. Visit kiwanis.org for more information.

Marietta Community Foundation is where generous families, businesses, and nonprofits come together to transform lives and strengthen Washington County, Ohio — turning good intentions into great accomplishments. The Foundation has distributed more than $27 Million to charities since its creation in 1974 and currently manages over 350 funds while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.

Dolly Parton Visits Ohio to Promote Imagination Library

Columbus, OH — On Tuesday, August 9, Dolly Parton was welcomed to Ohio during the 2022 Inaugural First Lady’s Luncheon.

The luncheon supported Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and celebrated the statewide success of the program so far. Currently, 343,490 children in Ohio are enrolled in the Imagination Library program, representing 48% of eligible children.

More Ohio children are receiving Imagination Library books than in any other state.

The program’s statewide popularity is echoed locally. 1,106 Washington County children are currently enrolled (34% of eligible children) with nearly 200 children on the waiting list.  

County affiliates were invited to attend and witness the gifting of quilts to Dolly Parton and Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine. Each quilt was made from 88 squares to represent each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Affiliates worked with a group of preschoolers to design a square representing their represented area. Additionally, Dolly Parton presented First Lady DeWine with a copy of her book, Coat of Many Colors.

“Dolly visiting Ohio was incredible to witness,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “Her father’s inability to read and write inspired her to start the program, and now she’s inspiring children and families worldwide to spend quality time together reading.”

“We’re proud to be the affiliate for this program in Washington County, but it’s only able to thrive because of the generosity of donors,” Allender added. “It’s been growing in popularity and the funds raised through our Match the Imagination campaign have already been exhausted. We hope that community members will follow Dolly’s lead and  inspire a love of reading by sponsoring a child’s registration.”

Community members can sponsor a child’s registration online at https://www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library. A gift of $25 will provide books for one child for one year. A gift of $125 will provide one child with books for 5 years — from birth until age 5.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails children one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from the time they are born until they turn five years old. All kids in Ohio are eligible to be enrolled at no cost to families. Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their child in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio can visit www.OhioImaginationLibrary.com.

Marietta Community Foundation brings together passionate donors and causes to improve Washington County, Ohio for generations to come. Founded in 1974, the Foundation manages more than 350 funds and has distributed more than $24.5 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.

Laundry and Literacy: Free Library Installed at Local Laundromat

Washington County, OH — While their caregivers turn over laundry, local children can now turn the pages of a new book.

Laundromat Libraries, a pilot program of Marietta Community Foundation, seeks to get more books into the hands of children county-wide by establishing small libraries of books that children can take or borrow from laundromats in Washington County.

“We know that people frequently bring their children with them to the laundromat and spend at least an hour there. This will help keep the kids busy with something positive while there and again at home if they chose to keep the book,” said Allender. 

Programs such as this are on the rise nationally. When Allender first heard about a similar program, she knew that this would be a great use of the Foundation’s partnership with The UPS Store Marietta.

Using donations made to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program during checkout, The UPS Store Marietta purchased nearly 1,000 Scholastic books which will be used to stock the library’s shelves throughout the year. The books are primarily suited for Pre-K children through grade 7.

This book-gifting partnership between The UPS Store Marietta and Marietta Community Foundation first began in 2021, with this year taking on this longer-term approach for distributing the books.

“I am so happy to continue to build this relationship between The UPS Store and Marietta Community Foundation,” said Erin Baker, Franchise Owner of The UPS Store Marietta. “Truly it is the monetary donations from our customers that make this project possible! The UPS Store along with the Toys for Tots Literacy Program make sure all the donations equal great books for our local area. I know I can count on Marietta Community Foundation to help make the biggest impact by donating the books to them each year!”

Britani Merritt and Bailey Harlow pose alongside the newly-installed Laundromat Library

The first laundromat library was installed on June 16th at Old Town Express Laundry, located on Pike Street in Marietta.

“We are just happy to be able to provide a means to encourage young minds to cultivate a love for reading, as it is such an important step in the learning process,” said Frank and Judy Lang, owners of Old Town Express Laundry. “Plus, it gives them something constructive to do!”

Funding for the bookshelf was provided by the Dwight K. and Dorothy S. Hays Memorial Fund held at the Foundation.

Laundromats in Washington County willing to host a library are asked to contact Marietta Community Foundation at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org. The Foundation hopes to expand the program to reach every part of the county following a successful pilot.

“We hope that this program will provide parents and children with more opportunities to engage in reading together, just like what happens when children are enrolled in the Imagination Library.”

— Heather Allender

The Imagination Library is a book-gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five — regardless of their family’s income. To date, the program has put more than 182 million books in the hands of children worldwide. Children can be registered to receive free, monthly Imagination Library books at https://imaginationlibrary.com/ or by visiting the Foundation’s office in downtown Marietta.

Flyers and registration forms for the Imagination Library can be found at each laundromat library location, as well as in all of the county’s public libraries.

Community members wanting to get involved can volunteer or donate through Marietta Community Foundation or donate to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program during checkout at The UPS Store Marietta.

Marietta Community Foundation brings together passionate donors and causes to improve Washington County, Ohio for generations to come. Founded in 1974, the Foundation manages more than 350 funds and has distributed more than $24.5 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.

Match the Imagination: $60K+ Raised for Washington County Reading Program

Washington County, OH — In less than 30 days, over $60,000 has been raised to help put books in the hearts and hands of local children.

 On February 7, 2022, Marietta Community Foundation announced the “Match the Imagination” campaign — pledging to match donations to the Washington County Imagination Library program dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000.                                                

This goal was quickly achieved, and the Foundation’s Board of Directors agreed to increase the match to $30,000. This inspiring new goal was topped on March 8 with a gift from the Edward Parrish Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century Fund.

 Community donations to the campaign have amounted to $30,344 thus far. With the Foundation’s $30,000 match, $60,344 is being deposited into the fund. Although the goal has been exceeded, donations of any size are still welcomed. Gifts can be made online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination

 These funds will enroll eligible children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), of which Marietta Community Foundation is the local affiliate.

 The program seeks to ensure that every child, regardless of income, can have access to books. Extensive research has indicated that the program is extremely popular in the communities where it’s implemented, and shows promise in promoting changes in home literacy environments, children’s attitudes toward reading, and early literacy skills.

 With support from The Owen Family Memorial Fund, the Foundation became a DPIL affiliate in 2017. In 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine allocated $5 million in the State of Ohio’s budget to be used for a state-wide reading initiative called the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library (OGIL). This initiative is in partnership with DPIL and covers 50% of all Ohio affiliates’ monthly costs, allowing local program funding to go twice as far.

 These relationships have resulted in 24,634 books having been mailed to over 1,460 children in Washington County and counting.

 Heather Allender, President and CEO of the Foundation, has witnessed the growth of the program over the last 5 years and is passionate about expanding the program even further.

 “It has been incredibly moving to see so many people come together to support this cause,” she said. “Literacy impacts every aspect of our lives and the research shows this program makes a difference. It’s an amazing feeling to know we are giving children in our county a head start.”

Britani Merritt, Operations and Donor Services Director, and Heather Allender, President and CEO, pose in front of Marietta Community Foundation with a check to the Washington County Imagination Library fund in the amount of $60,344.

 Now that a significant amount of funding has been secured, the Foundation is hoping to enroll as many eligible children as possible; allowing families to start or grow their own library at no cost to them.

 The Foundation and OGIL are actively seeking ways to spread the word about the program so that every eligible child can benefit from it.

 In December 2021, 805 children were enrolled. As of March 10, 2022, 952 children are enrolled and actively receiving the monthly books, and 511 have graduated from the program.

 “I wish that this program was available when I was a child,” said Courtney Wentz, Communications and Program Services Director at the Foundation. “Some of my fondest early childhood memories include my mom reading to my brother and me every night as we fell asleep. I truly think that if my parents hadn’t focused on building a library at home, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

 Any parent in Ohio can enroll their children under five years old in the program at no cost. Registration takes approximately five minutes and can be completed online at www.ohioimaginationlibrary.org/enroll.

 While making their contributions, several donors commented why they chose to support the campaign.

 “This is an amazing organization and we are grateful our son can take part in it!” said Natalie Ball.

“GFWC Belpre Woman's Club is proud to support the "Match the Imagination" campaign. Thank you for your efforts,” said Rose Logston.

 “Cultivating a passion for reading and developing strong literacy skills at a young age is critical for life-long learning. We are happy to support,” said Jarrett S. Stull and Jillian M. Clark Stull.

 “Our son loves this program and we want to help make it possible for others as well!” said Kris justice and Brandee Norris.

 The Foundation would like to sincerely thank each person, family, organization, and business that contributed to the Match the Imagination campaign, as well as every media member who has helped to publicize the campaign and program.

 Special thanks to the Marietta Friends of the Washington County Public Library, and Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company in collaboration with the Spartan Foundation for each of their $10,000 contributions.

 Marietta Community Foundation supports philanthropy and efforts to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives. Founded in 1974, the Foundation has grown beyond $48 million in assets, oversees more than 350 funds, and has distributed more than $24.5 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards for operational quality, donor service, and accountability in the community foundation sector.

Match the Imagination: $47,616 and Counting

Washington County, OH — A local group has pledged their support of the Match the Imagination campaign, and this one is no stranger to the cause.

The Marietta Friends of the Washington County Public Library have contributed $10,000 to the Washington County Imagination Library fund, bringing the Match the Imagination campaign to $23,808 raised — exceeding the campaign’s initial $20,000 goal.

This is not the first time that they have supported the fund. The group partnered with Marietta Community Foundation by giving $10,000 toward a matching campaign in 2019.

“Voting to donate again to the Imagination Library Fund was an easy decision for [our] board,” said Sarah Stephens, President of the Marietta Friends of the Library. “We always welcome requests for funds that encourage the love of reading in children.”

Sarah Stephens, President of the Marietta Friends of the Library, and Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation, with a Dolly Parton Imagination Library book.

Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation, shared her excitement about exceeding the campaign goal and is now encouraging the community to keep the momentum going.

“Initially, our hope was to increase program registrations and be able to cover the influx of enrollment costs without scrambling to secure funding,” she said. “We felt that $20,000 was adequate to eliminate the waitlist for a little while, but knew that more fundraising would be needed down the road. The community has really stepped up, and the Foundation is proud to announce that we will be capitalizing on this momentum by increasing our match to up to $30,000.”

The Foundation’s increased match brings the running total to $47,616 toward the Washington County Imagination Library fund.

Donations will continue to be matched 1:1 until $30,000 has been raised. Gifts can be made online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination. Donations via checks are also welcomed. Checks can be sent to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750, and should include Match the Imagination in the memo.

Children who reside in Washington County can be enrolled in the program through the Ohio Governors Imagination Library website, https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org, or by filling out a form at the Foundation’s office.

Match the Imagination: Business Builds More Than Roofs

Washington County, OH — The Match the Imagination campaign is more than halfway to its $20,000 goal.

Marietta Community Foundation launched the campaign on Monday, February 7, and announced that they would be matching donations to the Washington County Imagination Library fund dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000.  

Thanks to the generosity of 23 donors, a total of $13,704 has been raised thus far. With the Foundation’s match, this equates to $27,408 toward the fund.

“We believe that investing in early childhood literacy will better prepare children for school and help them to become thriving members of society,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation.

“When a person or business supports the program, they’re not just providing a child a book; they’re helping build a strong foundation for the future leaders of our community,” Allender added.

Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company in partnership with the Spartan Foundation contributed $10,000 in support of the effort. The Spartan Foundation is a charitable private foundation that is based in Vienna, West Virginia.

"The most important form of education is self-education. The foundation for self-education is reading," said Hap Esbenshade, Chairman and CEO of Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company and President of the Spartan Foundation.

“The amount of support received so far from community members, Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, and the Spartan Foundation is a symbol of the Imagination Library’s substantial value,” said Allender. “Every child in Washington County is eligible to take advantage of this program, and these raised funds are the only reason that we can support them doing so.”

Donations will continue to be matched 1:1 until $20,000 has been raised. Gifts can be made online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination. Donations via checks are also welcomed. Checks can be sent to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750, and should include Match the Imagination in the memo.

Children who reside in Washington County can be enrolled in the program through the Ohio Governors Imagination Library website, https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org, or by filling out a form at the Foundation’s office.

Foundation Announces $20,000 “Match the Imagination” Campaign

Washington County, OH — As the Washington County, Ohio affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), Marietta Community Foundation is committed to putting books into the hands and hearts of children from all across Washington County.

In order to help grow the program even further, the Foundation is encouraging all parents with children under 5 to enroll, and has launched a $20,000 “Match the Imagination” campaign. Through this campaign, the Foundation is matching up to $20,000 in donations to the Washington County Imagination Library fund to help support the influx of enrollment costs.

“We’re passionate about the program and want every single child in Washington County to be able to register,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “Far too often we have to inform a parent that we’re trying to solidify funding to register their child. We’re hoping that matching support from the community dollar-for-dollar will allow the fund to support the program’s growth.”

The raised funds will be used to cover the influx of enrollment costs and grow the fund to ensure the program's overall sustainability — working to ensure that local children are able to enjoy a new book each month, regardless of their family's financial ability.

This program is made available to families at no cost by donors to the Washington County Imagination Library fund at Marietta Community Foundation, and the organization’s partnership with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library (OGIL) program.

“The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is providing a lot of support right now by covering affiliate’s costs in January and February of 2022,” said Allender. “They see the value in growing the program, so if Washington County shows significant progress during that time, OGIL will cover the month of March too.”

A gift of $25 will provide books for one child for one year. A gift of $125 will provide one child with books for 5 years — from birth until age 5.

Children who reside in Washington County can be enrolled in the program through the OGIL’s website, https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org, or by filling out a form at the Foundation’s office at the corner of Front and Putnam in Downtown Marietta.

Community members interested in donating to the dollar-for-dollar match can make a gift online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination or mail/deliver checks made payable to MCF with Imagination Library in the memo to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750.

Marietta Community Foundation supports philanthropy and efforts to improve natural, human, and civic resources in Washington County through grants and initiatives. Founded in 1974, Marietta Community Foundation has grown to approximately $42.6 million in assets, oversees more than 300 funds, and has distributed more than $22 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards for operational quality, donor service, and accountability in the community foundation sector.

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted well over 160 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom,  Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring them to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Peoples Bank Foundation Grants Local Children Access to Literature

Pictured: LeeAnn Johnson (Ohio governor’s Imagination Library), Trina Cummings (Peoples Bank), and Heather Allender (Marietta Community Foundation)

Washington County, OH– To maintain program sustainability, Marietta Community Foundation (MCF) has had to place a hold on new registrations since March of this year. Local parents continue to apply for the program, knowing that their child will be put on a waiting list, which has grown to over 90 children between the ages of birth to five years old.

However, thanks to a $5,000 grant from Peoples Bank Foundation, these children have become fully enrolled in the Foundation’s program. Now, 80 children will receive the gift of a new, age-appropriate book in the mail each month for the remainder of their eligibility.

"Peoples Bank Foundation strives to protect the potential of the next generation by continually supporting and emphasizing educational opportunities for our youth. We thought this opportunity was a great way to assist Washington County children," said Staci Matheney, Peoples Bank Foundation President.

The DPIL is a book gifting program for children, ages birth to five years old. It costs $25 a year and during that year the enrolled child will receive 12 books. This means, that for just $125, a child will build their very own library, comprised of 60 books, over the full span of the program.

 “This grant doesn’t just cover the cost of registration for these kids for one year,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of MCF. “It covers their cost for their full term of eligibility! This is a huge win for our program and for our local children.”

MCF currently serves 30 percent of Washington County’s five-and-under population. MCF continues to build the program through fundraising to move toward sustainability. Community members, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to donate to the program to assist our youngest generation in their early childhood developmental journey.

The Marietta Community Foundation meets National Standards for operational quality, donor service, and accountability in the community foundation sector. Founded in 1974, the Marietta Community Foundation has grown over the years thanks to a number of generous gifts.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, if you want to help our local children receive resources proven to help achieve developmental milestones, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.