Victor Hugo once wrote: “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” As members of Sigma Tau Delta, you don’t need to be reminded of how literacy can open doors, create opportunities, and inspire communities to be great. That is why Student Leadership is thrilled to announce that Sigma Tau Delta is once again partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our new five-year-long service project initiative.
Look for more information this fall about how you can join us in celebrating, promoting, and fundraising for the Imagination Library!
What is the Imagination Library’s Impact on Childhood Literacy?
Dolly Parton began the Imagination Library in 1995 to encourage early childhood literacy in her home county in East Tennessee. The goal was to provide high-quality, age-appropriate books to all children, regardless of their family’s financial situation, from infancy to kindergarten. Since then, the Imagination Library has mailed over 120.7 million books to children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland!
Other important statistics you should know about the Imagination Library:
- It costs $25 to sponsor a child and provide them with twelve books over the course of the year. This covers the cost of the books and the shipping. No administrative costs are taken from this program!
- Over 1.4 million children currently are being served by the Imagination Library.
- Books are available in English, Spanish, Burmese, and Braille. Audio books also are available.
- There are statistics and studies showing that enrollment in the program drastically improves early childhood literacy, a skill that will benefit these children for the rest of their lives!
2018-2019 Benetech Service Project Wrap-Up
Thank you to all of the chapters who helped us to support Benetech‘s Bookshare program:
- Liberty University
- Utah State University
- University of Guam
- Morris College
- University of Connecticut
More from Footnotes: May 23, 2019
2020 Common Reader
Apply for Grants and Stipends
Chapter Annual Report
Show Your Pride and Win
Where does one sign up to sponsor a child an send the 25.00 fee for the year