Funding for Dolly Partons Imagination Library cut from Washington state budget

Washington state's budget cuts have placed Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at risk, eliminating funding essential for its free literacy program. Established in 1995, the initiative serves over 120,000 children in Washington, providing a free monthly book to kids up to five years old. The program requires $2 million in public fundraising to continue operations beyond June. Local leaders, including United Way of Whatcom County, are working with various partners to rally support for this initiative. Early access to books is crucial for literacy development, highlighting the program's role in fostering a love for reading among young children.

If funding is not secured, many children may lose access to these resources, potentially impacting their literacy skills. The urgency of this situation calls for immediate community involvement and fundraising efforts to sustain the program. Without financial support, the future of the Imagination Library hangs in the balance, affecting thousands of families across the state.