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.