100K Free Books Sent to Snohomish County Children

The United Way of Snohomish County shared in a release this week that, through its partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, more than 100,000 books have been shipped to Snohomish County children within the last year.

The partnership formed in June 2023, with the first batch of books shipped out two months later, the release noted.

Launched in 1995 in her native East Tennessee, Parton’s Imagination Library has since expanded into a national initiative that sees free books shipped to kids from birth to age 5 in an effort to increase childhood literacy rates and nurture a positive relationship with reading.

“Access to early literature helps shape future academic success and lifelong learning,” said Maya Hemachandra, UWSC’s interim president and chief executive officer, in the release. “Knowing that so many families within our community are benefiting from this program and receiving these books is a huge milestone we are proud to celebrate.”

Parents can sign their children up at no cost and can expect books to arrive between eight and 12 weeks after registration. About 11,000 children in the county are currently signed up; the release noted that there are an additional 40,000 who are eligible but not yet enrolled. (Those interested can register here.)

Brooke Fisher-Clark, the Imagination Library of Washington’s executive director, expressed her gratitude for the UWSC and local donors in the release.

“It takes a village of collaboration and support to achieve this kind of grandeur and impact,” she said.