The Northwest Hospital Foundation and the United Way of Venango County have partnered to ensure all babies born at UPMC Northwest have the opportunity to register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library if they live in Venango, Clarion, and Forest counties.

Babies and children who are enrolled in the Imagination Library program from eligible counties receive one new book in the mail each month from birth until their fifth birthday.

“This kind of partnership, especially now, is much needed to be able to continue offering this program in Venango County. This program guarantees access to books and inspires parents to read to their children. As little as fifteen minutes a day has a giant impact on a child,” said Will Price, Executive Director, United Way of Venango County.

“We want to give a special thank you to the McElhattan Foundation for their generous support of this project,” said Theresa Edder, Executive Director of the Northwest Hospital Foundation, “and for helping us bridge the gap on literary success for the children born at UPMC Northwest.”

For more information on how you can help more children receive age-appropriate books, please contact Will Price at (814) 676-6545 or LiveUnited@uwvenango.org.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2022 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.