CLARION, Pa. — Clarion County’s Imagination Library — a program of United Way of Clarion County and an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — celebrated its 1-year anniversary in January by mailing its 1000th book.

The book-gifting program is available to all children living in Clarion County under the age of 5. Participants receive a high quality, age-appropriate book delivered to their home each and every month until they turn 5-years-old.

“There is absolutely no cost or obligation to the children or their families,” said Clarion County United Way Executive Director Melissa Fulton.

“The program’s goal is to simply get more books into the hands of local children and their families while promoting early learning and literacy skills at home.”

Each book contains characteristics specific to the child’s age and development. From their first book, “The Little Engine that Could,” through their last book, “Look Out, Kindergarten, Here I Come,” children are exposed to themes that foster respect for diversity of people, their roles, culture and environment, promotion of self-esteem and confidence and appreciation of art and aesthetics.

Parents and guardians can register their children by picking up forms at any of the Clarion County public libraries and mailing the completed registration to the United Way. A grant from Clarion University Fellows will allow students of Sigma Tau Delta and English Club, along with their faculty advisor, Dr. Ellen Foster, to host registration events throughout Clarion County in the upcoming year.

Thanks to eager committee members, consisting mostly of current and retired educators as well as mothers, well over 200 preschoolers in Clarion County are already registered and regularly receiving books.

Coordinators Ashley Luton and Melissa Fulton say without the help of donors, they would have never have been able to bring this program to local families.

As an official affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, United Way of Clarion County is tasked with raising funds to cover the cost of each book, postage, promotion of the program, registering local children and maintaining a database of participants. Currently, it costs $25 to serve each child per year. Fulton feels strongly that the benefits of Imagination Library far outweigh the cost and view this as an investment into a child’s future that is vital for our community.

Luton, who was instrumental in establishing the local program, said “Imagination Library is so much more than books. It is about setting a child up for success, creating long-lasting relationships and safeguarding that each child has the opportunity to succeed and achieve their fullest potential.”

Clarion County’s Imagination Library wishes to thank the many individuals, businesses and organizations that have supported the program during its first year including: The American Legion, Immaculate Conception Church, Wolf’s Camping Resort, Clarion Chapter of PASR, Clarion Civic Club, Catholic Daughters of America, Life Expressions by Lorie Taylor and LuLaRoe by Jennifer Woolam as well as Clarion Free Library, Knox Public Library, Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library, Foxburg Free Library and Redbank Valley Public Library.

For more information about registration opportunities, Like Clarion County’s Imagination Library on Facebook. To learn more, join the committee or make a donation, please contact United Way of Clarion County at (814) 226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.net