Children’s literacy program providing books to children in partnership with the Dollywood Foundation of Canada
Kids Can Fly marks its fifth anniversary of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that provides a book a month to children from age birth to five years. “We aim to excite families about books and reading with the long term goal of increasing and improving literacy in our community, ” said Jeanne Smitiuch, Coordinator of the Kids Can Fly Children’s Literacy Program.
Mayor Chris Friel
Sponsors and supporters came to the Brantford Public Library to honour the occasion. Mayor Chris Friel brought greetings and recounted his own fond memories of his favourite childhood books and the importance of the early foundation of literacy in our community. MP Phil McColeman and MPP Dave Levac lend their support but were not able to attend but sent reps to bring greetings to the group of over 50 people gathered. Chief Ava Hill brought greetings from Six Nations and shared the success of the Six Nations Imagination Library in registering almost 100 children since starting the program in June. She congratulated Holly Frank, Cole Squire and the Six Nations DPIL Committee on their perseverance and passion for the program.
You can do anything in the world if you can read
Wayne Branchaud, Chair Kids Can Fly
Brantford and Brant County is a wonderful place to and raise a family. By offering and supporting programs like the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library shows the communities commitment to early literacy and the impact it makes on the future outcomes of a child.
Popular entertainer Dolly Parton started the library in 1995 in Tennessee and made the program available to communities in Canada in 2006 so that all preschool children could have the opportunity to read and instill a love of books. The program arrived in Brantford and Brant County as part of a Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise project and has continued to grow each year since. A major factor in the program’s success is the established network of shared responsibility. The Dollywood Foundation provides the global database for 940,000 children, coordinates the book selection and the fulfillment of the books. The local champion, such as Kids Can Fly, is responsible to fund raise $3.55/child/year and enter names into the database and manage returned books.
Dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world
Dolly Parton
Through community contributions Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was launched in Brantford/Brant County in Fall 2010. Since then:
• More than 48,000 books have been delivered to Brantford and Brant County children since December 2010.
• Over 20% of Brantford and Brant County children under 5 years old are currently receiving one book each month at their home through the Imagination Library program.
• Over 570 children have “graduated” from the Kids Can Fly Imagination Library program since 2010.
“None of these achievements would be possible without the contributions and ongoing support of our community sponsors,” added Smitiuch. “We gratefully acknowledge, SC Johnson, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise, Rotary Club of Brantford, City of Brantford, Brant United Way: Special Funding, Brant Community Foundation, Samuel W. Stedman Foundation, the Lorne and Elise Hankinson Charitable Trust, 100 Women Who Care, Leisa Way Productions, Stepright Capital Planning Inc. and many other corporate and individual donors.”
Currently, there are over 940,000 children registered in four countries, including 14,000 in Canada of which 1,800 are registered in Ontario. Interest in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has been growing throughout Ontario. Kids Can Fly and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library hopes to continue making a difference in Brantford and Brant County.
This Christmas we are trying to reach more children and make a difference in their lives. Your gift will help us achieve our goals for 2016 to reach 25% of Brantford and Brant County children under 5 years old.
