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.