RELEASE DATE:
October 19, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kershaw County First Steps Partners with Palmetto Project to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Kershaw County, SC – October 19, 2024 – Kershaw County First Steps is excited to announce a transformative new partnership with Palmetto Project to bring the renowned Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children and families in Kershaw County. This partnership aims to promote literacy and foster a love of reading among young children by providing free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five.
Beginning this fall, Kershaw County families will have access to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that has inspired millions of children across the globe by gifting them a book each month, mailed directly to their homes. Through this partnership, Kershaw County First Steps and Palmetto Project are committed to enhancing early childhood education and supporting families in creating a foundation for lifelong learning.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Palmetto Project to bring the Imagination Library to Kershaw County,” said Stephen James, Interim Executive Director of KC First Steps. “This initiative aligns with our mission of ensuring every child is prepared for success in school and beyond. The joy of receiving books at an early age will inspire children and their families to engage in reading, which is essential for cognitive development and future educational achievement.”
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was established in 1995 by Dolly Parton to encourage reading in children. To date, the program has distributed over 200 million books worldwide. The initiative has been praised for its role in promoting early literacy, critical language development, and family engagement.
The collaboration with Palmetto Project, a South Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, education, and civic engagement across the state, ensures that the Imagination Library will reach families throughout Kershaw County. Together, both organizations share a vision of empowering children through literacy, ultimately providing them with the tools they need to thrive in school and life.
Enrollment in the program is open to all children under five living in Kershaw County. Families can register at no cost through the Kershaw County First Steps website or by visiting participating local community centers and libraries.
For more information about Kershaw County First Steps and the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, please visit https://kershawfirststeps.org/programs/dolly-parton-imagination-library or contact Jessica Clea at community@kershawfirststeps.org or (803) 432-7756.
About Kershaw County First Steps
Kershaw County First Steps is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in Kershaw County enter school ready to learn and succeed. The organization provides a wide range of services that support early childhood education, parent engagement, and family well-being.
About Palmetto Project
Palmetto Project is a statewide nonprofit organization working to create innovative strategies for improving the quality of life in South Carolina. Through its various programs in health, education, and civic engagement, Palmetto Project is dedicated to making lasting changes in the communities it serves.
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For more information about Kershaw County First Steps or how to volunteer or donate, please visit our website (https://kershawfirststeps.org) or email info@kershawfirststeps.org.
