Elgin United Way celebrates anniversary with giveaway

In February, the United Way of Elgin will celebrate the three-year anniversary of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the area.

The program sends free books every month to children from birth to age five in Elgin, South Elgin, Burlington, Hampshire, La Fox, and Pingree Grove. Parents must register their children to receive the free books. Since launching in the area in February 2009, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has sent over 77,500 books to 4,677 children.

“The program has been extremely successful,” said Lynne Bosley, president of the United Way of Elgin. “This program increases the percentage of children entering kindergarten who are prepared to succeed and have the skills necessary to learn to read.”

In a 2011 survey, 61 percent of parent respondents claimed that they read to their child more often since enrolling in the program, and 93 percent believe it has helped prepare their children for kindergarten.

To celebrate the three year anniversary, the United Way of Elgin will give away a set of Imagination Library Train Bookends.

Any new registration received in February will be entered to win.

The United Way of Elgin and community partners have a goal of reaching 5,500 children by the end of this year. Parents can learn how to register their children to receive books by visiting http://www.uwelgin.org/freebooks.

If you would like more information, please call the United Way office at (847) 741-2259 or e-mail Diane O'Connor, Director of Community Impact, at doconnor@uwelgin.org.