As the local program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, United Way of Whatcom County manages and pays for this program to be available in Whatcom County. At approximately $32 per child per year for 12 brand new books printed and shipped, it’s a program that provides huge value for the cost. Approximately 4,500 children are actively receiving books each month and deliveries span every zip code in Whatcom County. Books are shipped to kids from the time they enroll until they turn five. Many kids are enrolled the day they are born, which means they will have access to early learning resources literally from Day 1.
About 2% of the books shipped each month don’t make it to the desired recipients. This is most often due to families moving or changes in addresses, but occasionally there are postal mix-ups, incorrectly entered information, or other enrollment/shipping hiccups. When books don’t get delivered, kids miss out on quality reading time and support and books pile up at post offices, causing more work for our friends at the US Postal Service.
At United Way, we couldn’t bear to think of these books going unread, so we began paying for return postage service and picking up every undeliverable Imagination Library book in Whatcom County from our local post office. This allows us to troubleshoot address issues with local families, eliminate any enrollment errors, and make sure registered kids keep getting their books. The result of this effort has been many happy kids AND a big pile of extra books that could not be delivered to children who have moved out of the area.
With a focus on accessibility and impact, we began reaching out to our nonprofit partners to see if anyone needed a stack of brand new books for the children and families they serve. Turns out there was a resounding yes! In the past year, we’ve given more than 1,450 books to 12 local organizations, including the following:
| Ferndale School District | Family Resource Center |
| Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center |
| Bellingham Public Library |
| Bellingham School District | Family Resource Centers | |
| Alderwood & Happy Valley Elementary Schools |
| Communities in Schools Whatcom-Skagit |
| Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) |
| Ferndale School District | Cascadia Elementary School |
| IRIS (Immigrant Resources & Immediate Support) |
| Lummi Nation Health Center | Pediatrics |
| Lydia Place |
| Mt Baker School District | Family Services |
| Nooksack Valley School District | Family Services |
| Northwest Educational Services District 189 | Migrant Education Health Program |
| Opportunity Council | Early Learning Department – Family Services |
| Skookum Kids |
These organizations often work with kids and families who may have little to no access to early learning programs, books, or even libraries. Many families with young children in our community aren’t able to buy books, and transportation is often a challenge. Childcare or pre-school may not be available or affordable, leaving kids and families without critical early learning support. Getting these beautiful books out to as many of these families as possible is the mission of the program, and we’re proud to say that every Imagination Library book Dolly sends goes to a Whatcom County child. Whether the book finds its way to the mailbox or shows up through our partnerships with other service providers, 100% of Imagination Library books are getting to our littlest learners, helping to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
We often run into families who get the books and it’s clear this program is beloved. If your child is receiving books, we’re thrilled to hear what the program means to you and your children. We also love cute photos of kids reading!*
If you sponsor this program to help us cover the costs, THANK YOU! Your dollars are truly making a difference for local kids and families.
Want to learn more about this fantastic program? Click here.
*Feel free to email your little reader photos to hello@unitedwaywhatcom.org. We love to see this program in action!