Lake-Osceola State Bank sponsors Dolly Parton Imagination Library books.
SCOTTVILLE — Lake-Osceola State Bank has pledged a $5,000 annual contribution to FiveCAP, Inc. to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to ensure children, ages birth to 5, in Mason, Manistee and Lake counties, will be enrolled in the program, which provides a free new book each month.
The Imagination Library was founded by Dolly Parton, as a way to give back to children and inspire them as she was as a child to dream big and open their imagination. Growing up in the Smokey Mountains, Dolly Parton’s fondest memory was being read to by her mother. This program allows other children to enjoy the experience of being read to without the barrier of cost, by providing a new free book each month.
According to studies, reading regularly with children during their early years not only provides exciting adventures for their imagination, but gives them a big boost toward a successful education.
“Funding for this national early literacy program has to be raised locally,” said FiveCAP Executive Director Mary Trucks, “FiveCAP has been looking for ways to make sure local area children can still participate in this important program.”
“I think that given the two years we had of disruption in society and in general, particularly schools, we’ve been concerned about early literacy and are proud to support the program to put books in the hands of children,” said Deborah Smith-Olson, chief executive officer/chairman of Lake-Osceola State Bank. “Hopefully things will return back to normal and continue to make progress with the education of our area children.”
For a child to qualify for the program, they must live in Mason, Manistee or Lake counties, and must continue to stay in that county to continue to be eligible for a new free book monthly, until they are 5-years-old.
To enroll a child in the program, or for more information, visit www.fivecap.org, or contact FiveCAP at (231) 757-3785.