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On December 10, members of the Lockport Woman's Club presented the first donation of $5,000 to help launch Imagination Library of Will County.

Imagination Library Launches in Will County
Lockport Woman’s Club and Will County Partner
to Kickstart Literacy Program

The Lockport Woman's Club, in collaboration with Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Center for Economic Development, proudly announces the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Will County. This program provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, fostering a love of reading and early literacy.

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagine Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 250 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland.

The Lockport Woman’s Club, the first sponsor and partner, contributed $5,000 to kick off the initiative. The Lockport Woman's Club established in 1902 and founders of the Lockport Library in 1922, the club continues its legacy of supporting literacy in the community. The program benefits from a statewide expansion by Governor JB Pritzker, which matches every dollar raised locally. With this match, just $16 sponsors one child for an entire year of books.

To officially launch the fundraising campaign, a special event, “Imagination Celebration – A Dolly Parton Birthday Book Bash,” will take place on January 30 at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. The evening includes a celebratory reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a showing of the film 9 to 5 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and go on sale December 26 at the Rialto Box Office and participating chambers of commerce.

Tickets can also be purchased by check or cash (exact change) at various locations:


  • Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce - 116 N. Chicago St. Suite 110, Joliet, IL 60432 – Mon.-Fri. - 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Plainfield Shorewood Chamber of Commerce - 24109 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, IL 60544 - Mon.-Fri. – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Lockport Chamber of Commerce - 222 E. 9th St., 3rd Floor, Lockport, IL 60441- Mon.-Thurs. – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m

 

Donate to Imagine Library of Will County

 

The Lockport Womans' Club, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Center for Economic Development have partnered together to launch the Imagination Library of Will County.

Once fully launched, this program will be available to over 39,000 children throughout our county! A fundraising goal of $150,000 has been established to bring Imagination Library to Will County!

This will fund two years of the program and will give the gift of literacy to thousands of local children. No gift is too small!  DONATE today or sponsor a child: A gift of $16 will sponsor 12 months of free books for one child!


Check back for the official start date!

For more information about the Imagination Celebration event, email maureen@thedunloegroup.com.

Check back for the official start date!


Visit www.WillCountyImaginationLibrary.org to learn more, donate, or sponsor a child. Join us in building a brighter future for Will County's youngest learners!