How license plates are helping to grow Imagination Library of Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A program designed to give Ohio kids free books has entered its sixth year and hopes to keep growing.
The Imagination Library of Ohio was made statewide 6 years ago. The original program was started by music star, Dolly Parton in Tennessee. The program makes sure kids develop a healthy relationship with reading books, something particularly important to Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine.
After years of bringing the Imagination Library to Ohio, First lady Fran DeWine has a new way you can help continue bringing a fundamental tool to kids at no cost to them.
“We just have so many kids in our state that can benefit by this and so this is just kind of a fun way to help a really, really important program,” DeWine said.
Since 2019, the Imagination Library of Ohio has given free books to kids throughout all 88 counties and was spearheaded by First Lady Fran DeWine. Now, a new part of the program has been announced.
When people buy a specialty license plate featuring Dolly Parton, $25 will go back to the local branch of the program. Each plate pays for the mailing of one child's books for the full year.
“We have 412,000 kids that are signed up now and which is really exciting,” DeWine said. “I think 62% of all the kids are under five and that's the most at any place in the country, we have more kids signed up. But I think just knowing that all those kids are going to get a book, you know, is just I don't know, It's very heartwarming.”
DeWine notes next month they will celebrate mailing 20 million books to kids across the state and she hopes to continue expanding the program. She is grateful to Dolly for starting this initiative and wants people to know why this is so important to her.
“I really care about kids,” DeWine said. “I think that if we get our children off to a good start and this is how we do it, this is one way we can do it, our kids off to a good start. Then they're going to be successful children, adults. They're going to be happy, you know, happy and I just think it's so important.”
After signing up for the program, a book will be delivered monthly until a child's fifth birthday.