NIPAWIN — With all 50 slots being filled by families, the Nipawin and Area Early Years Family Resource Centre are seeking additional organizations to sponsor Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Nipawin.
Under Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Canada, any youth from participating communities from ages five and under can sign up to receive a free book once a month, no matter their family's income.
The books themselves are covered by sponsorships, while administrative costs are covered by the Dollywood Foundation. Each signup costs sponsors $42.60 per year.
Lisa Vavra, co-ordinator for the Nipawin and Area Early Years Family Resource Centre, said the Nipawin Kinsmen agreed to fund 50 families for three years in December, but since then additional sponsors have offered to join.
“Once the Kinsmen decided how many they were able to sponsor in the timeframe we easily got 50 families signed up,” Vavra said. “Now we’re just waiting for more sponsors to finish their donations to reach out to some more families.”
Unlike with other communities in Nipawin, Vavra said they are doing one book per family rather than one book per child.
“It’s going to benefit the whole family and then if there ever was a duplicate of books they wouldn’t have that duplicate.”
In response to the interest, the Nipawin Kinsmen have taken to social media, encouraging local service clubs, business and individuals to reach out to the Family Resource Centre.
“We know 50 kids is a great start, and we are proud to sponsor them, but there are plenty more children in our area who would benefit from the gift of books and reading, let's make it happen Nipawin,” the Kinsmen said.
Registration for the program can be done online at imaginationlibrary.com/ca/find-my-program/. Other Saskatchewan communities taking part include Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Tisdale, Treaty 4 Territory, Sandy Bay, Saskatoon, Kelliher, Fillmore, Muskeg Cree Nation, Muskoday and Prince Albert.
