Yvonne Fletcher
When money was tight, a new book for my son each month felt like a small, precious gift.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a curated collection of books that are sent to a child every month from their birth until their fifth birthday and the Family Resource Center is throwing a party about it. Come join the celebration this Saturday, November 7th, 2026. A free event for the community, there will be raffles for gift baskets, games, food, a bouncy house, and more!
Money was scarce in my son’s early days. I had a great deal of fear surrounding our survival then. Even in that difficulty, because of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, I could give him a new book every month. A nurse at a Tennessee hospital told me about it, and I was signed up before I took my new baby home, which was a much easier accomplishment than figuring out how the car seat worked.
I read to him every day from the first day he arrived. We still read together. He had fewer opinions about literature then, and definitely listened better when he was not mobile than now, but those memories surrounding us reading together in all the stages throughout the years remain precious to me. We had access to plenty of books. We visited libraries and went to every free event or class I could find. But there was still something so special about giving him something brand new, a book that was his alone, at a time when I couldn't give anything else. It lifted my spirits and made me a better mom because as small as that moment seems, I will always remember it as a bright reminder that there is hope for better in the harder moments.
Dr. Jennifer Eddy, executive director of the Family Resource Center of Eau Claire County, shared a few moments with me to explain how vital this program is for the children of the Chippewa Valley and what we are doing as a community to keep it going. She has worked tirelessly along with her co-chairs B.J. Hollars, Flo Sheridan, and Judy Dekan, to bring the Imagination Library to the Chippewa Valley, describing them as “nonstop champions of this cause.”
“The best investment in our future is ensuring that every child has access to books in their home,” Hollars recently shared. “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library makes that possible.”
Dr. Eddy explained that this cause is so vital for the future because of the enormous impact that it has on literacy, mental health, and overall success as little readers grow into the world.
“Ninety percent of human brain development happens in the first 5 years,” Eddy stressed, “Building a routine of bonding over reading is so good for them lifelong. It helps them form morals, beliefs, and dreams. If you can do one thing with your child, read to them every day.”
I can attest to those things for my son and I personally, as well as everyone else that I knew who has taken part in the Imagination Library. Increased access to books with encouragement of family reading time brings joy, empathy, and broadening experiences to children in those crucial moments.
The Family Resource Center is currently raising funds with a goal of $1.6 million by November 1, 2027. This ambitious target was decided upon because that amount, once placed into an endowment at the Eau Claire Community Foundation, would generate enough interest to cover the yearly cost of continuing this program for the foreseeable future at the current population. It was further calculated that $1000.00 is the investment that would endow one child forever.
News of how far we have come to reaching this goal will be shared at the Launch Party. If the goal is not met, new enrollment may be paused in order for further fundraising efforts, so if you would like to contribute there are two ways to do so. A check made out to the Imagination Fund in any amount can be sent to 7 South Dewey St, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, or bring it to the party! You can also give online here (including an option to make your donation anonymous if you prefer).
Dr. Eddy shared how touched and surprised she has been throughout this fundraising journey by the generosity of the individuals and businesses in this community. She never could have guessed that several donors would give large amounts, up to $50,000. She cried when that first check came from someone who believed in the program enough to share their funds this way. She has received donations from businesses with stories of how their families are recipients of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
All donations, in any amount, are welcome and appreciated. The Dolly Parton Bookshelf commemorates donations of $1000.00 or more and will be unveiled at the Launch Party on Saturday.
There will also be a visual representation of where we are in the fundraising efforts that children will be able to help fill in together as part of the party. Dr. Eddy had a hard time deciding what she is looking forward to most because there is so much to choose from, but that is at the top of the list. Also on that list is hearing B.J. speak, seeing the gift baskets go to eight lucky participants, and hearing Dr. Kathie Schneider and her Seeing-Eye dog read I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea.
Several local artists, authors, and others are going to share their talents with us at the party.
Families can expect a wide range of fun activities for kids of all ages, There will be activities like making your own bookmark and writing thank you notes that will be sent to the Dollywood Foundation and the donors as well as balance beams and a sensory space for those who need a quiet moment in all of the fun. It will also be possible to sign your little one up to receive books as part of the Imagination Library at the celebration.