UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

December 3, 2024, Shawnee, OK – United Way of Eastern Frontier Country (UWEFC) announces their new affiliation with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for children under the age of 5 in Seminole, Wewoka, Holdenville, Wetumka, Davenport, and other rural communities within the UWEFC service area.

Families can now register to receive a high quality, age-appropriate book mailed to their children monthly at no cost to the family.  For more information on the program and to register, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

United Way has collaborated with local libraries to host Imagination Library Kickoff Parties to celebrate the new program including the Holdenville Library, Seminole Library, and Wewoka Library.  Children are presented with “The Little Engine That Could” as their welcome book and will then receive a free book in the mail every month until their 5th birthday.  To sign up in person at the upcoming Wewoka Kickoff Party, visit the Wewoka Public Library on December 9, 2024, from 4:00PM-5:30PM.

United Way received a matching grant from Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative to help cover the cost of the first year of books.  “Through our Operation Round Up program, CVEC is proud to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, helping to provide free books to children in our community,” said Carla Tollett, Director of Communication & Member Engagement, CVEC.  “By rounding up their monthly electric bills, our participating members are making a meaningful impact on early childhood literacy. We believe in the power of education and are excited to see the positive difference these books will make for the children and families we serve.”

Sandy Vanderburg, UWEFC Executive Director, said, “It is exciting to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to communities in Seminole, Hughes, and Lincoln Counties, reflecting our dedication to reaching every part of our service area with purpose and ensuring every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.  Since launching the program in the last week of October, we’ve already had 254 children register!  Our goal is to enroll every child possible in our service area.”

Additional Information: 

United Way of Eastern Frontier Country is a local and independently operated 501c3 serving Pottawatomie, Seminole, Hughes, and Lincoln County and serves 21 partner agencies. The United Way of Eastern Frontier Country local mission is to strengthen communities by mobilizing resources to collaborate for the common good. For additional information regarding United Way of Eastern Frontier Country, please visit unitedwayefc.org or visit us on social media.

Sandy Vanderburg, UWEFC Executive Director, pictured with Santa Clause at the Seminole Library Imagination Library Kickoff Party on December 2, 2024.