Applauding Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Southern Oregon

The Books Make Better Futures Luncheon on March 4th was a tremendous success! The event was filled with energy and support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a cause that is more vital than ever. Sponsored by United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon and our partner, Jackson County Library Services, the annual event raised over $87,000, and clearly demonstrates there are a lot of people who care “an awful lot” about early literacy in southern Oregon and the ongoing success of DPIL.
The 175 attendees heard from guest speakers Kaylee Chrystal, Community Engagement Coordinator for DPIL Oregon and Laurie McNichols, the Executive Director of DPIL Oregon.
United Rotary Clubs in Southern Oregon (URCSO) is The Imagination Library affiliate and started the program in January 2023. To date, there are over 4200 children enrolled and receiving age-appropriate books each month. Affiliates are responsible for enrolling local children and covering the costs of books and postage. Since the beginning of the program, over 80,000 books have been mailed out to participating children in the Rogue Valley.
United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon is a non-profit whose board is made of up members from each of the Rotary clubs in the Rogue Valley. The 9 clubs combine their passions and skills on large projects that would be too big for most clubs to handle alone. Since incorporating in 2018, over the last 7 years clubs have worked together on Almeda fire relief, with a focus on support of small business recovery ( $450,000), a backpack food program now serving meals to 800 children each week, and established a consortium effort to mutually support the selected club doing a global grant project each year.