Optimists look at book program
The Jamestown Optimist Club met Oct. 18. Members reviewed the requirements for establishing an Imagination Library program in the Jamestown area. The Imagination Library was started by Dolly Parton in 1995 for the children in her hometown of Sevier County. The program was launched nationwide in 2000, expanded to Canada in 2006 and to the UK in 2007.
The Jamestown Optimist Club met Oct. 18. Members reviewed the requirements for establishing an Imagination Library program in the Jamestown area.
The Imagination Library was started by Dolly Parton in 1995 for the children in her hometown of Sevier County. The program was launched nationwide in 2000, expanded to Canada in 2006 and to the UK in 2007.
The Dollywood Foundation partners with communities to provide the program. Children who are registered with the program receive a free, age-appropriate book each month from birth to age 5. Optimist member Alissa Hanson, whose children are registered in the program and receive books every month, discussed the program from a parent’s perspective. She brought some of the books that her children have received recently and related how much her children enjoy the books.
To replicate a program in the Jamestown area, the following steps would be followed:
1. Define the area served, which could be a school district, town, county, etc.
2. Define the cost. The cost of books and mailing per child is $25 per year. The only criteria for children to participate are age and geographic location. There are no income requirements, etc.
3. Secure funding. Once the initial and ongoing costs have been established, the club will need to raise funds needed to pay for the books and mailing costs.
4. Identify a local champion to coordinate the activities needed, such as advertising the program, getting children registered, and mailing out the books. The Jamestown Optimist Club has volunteered to accept this role initially, and the Jamestown High School Foundation has agreed to participate as needed.
5. Complete the paperwork needed, such as a memorandum of agreement.
6. Order registration brochures to advertise the program and register the children.
7. Review the operations manual.
8. Host a rollout event to kick off the program.
Ken Schulz, president of the Jamestown Optimist Club, will be contacting community people to be part of a planning committee that will meet the first week in November. Anyone interested in participating on the planning committee is asked to contact Schulz at 320-4497.
Raffle winners were ticket numbers 163 and 298.
The Optimist Club meets every Thursday noon at the Knights of Columbus.
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