Literacy Program Gains Sponsors

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been available to all children ages 0-5 in Stone County since 2019, and more than 300 local children are enrolled in the program.

Mountain View School District has ensured the funding of books for 200 youngsters annually. Additional sponsors have stepped up to continue and expand the literacy effort.

All children enrolled receive high-quality, age-appropriate books in the mail – one book per month until a child’s fifth birthday – at no cost to families.

United Way of North Central Arkansas is the affiliate champion for Stone County Imagination Library as well as programs in Cleburne, Independence, Izard and Sharp Counties. The program costs $125 per child to sponsor a child from birth to age 5. To date, more than 8,606 books have been mailed to the children of Stone County.

Centennial Bank of Mountain View continues to support the Stone County Imagination Library and Mountain View Schools with an annual donation of $500 to the program.

Through a state-wide partnership with First Security Bank and Arkansas Imagination Library, Stone County families can enroll their children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at First Security Bank – Mountain View. First Security Bank will fund the first year in the program for each child enrolled at First Security Bank branches.

Online registration is available at: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/ARSTONE/. Parents or guardians can also contact United Way of North Central Arkansas to enroll their children.

See the April 13 issue for comments from local educators.