Literacy is critical to success in life, and children who have books and other reading materials available in their homes are better readers and often more successful in school than children who do not. To help increase early childhood literacy in our community, the Cortez Rotary is collaborating with the Dollywood Foundation to offer “Imagination Library” in Montezuma County. Each month, a child registered in the program receives, free of charge, a beautiful new book that is theirs to keep. The only requirements for eligibility are that the child be 0-5 years of age, reside in Montezuma County, and that a current mailing address for the child be on file with the Cortez Rotary. There is no charge for participation, and parents that enroll their children will never be asked to pay for books their children receive.
There is, however, a cost to the Cortez Rotary of $25 per year per child which helps defray shipping and handling. Currently, the organization is spending about $1,000 per month to cover the costs for children enrolled in the program. A number of community businesses, as well as Rotary members and private citizens fund the project. If you believe that having books in the home and encouraging children to read is important, won’t you consider supporting this program in our community? Twenty-five dollars will provide a book a month to one child for a year. During this season of giving, what better gift could you make to a child than the gift of reading? Won’t you join with others in our community and help support The Imagination Library? For additional information on this program, to enroll a child, or to make a contribution, please contact Shane Hale (970) 531-9592, Cortez Rotary chairman.
Karen Sheek
Cortez