By WILLIAM STEVENS
Staff writer
An 11-month-old Cooperstown girl has the honor of receiving the 20,000th book from the United Way of Venango County’s Imagination Library program.
The Imagination Library started in 2014 with the goal of providing monthly books to all children in Venango and Forest counties.
Jolene Ion, who received the 20,000th book, has been enrolled in the program for four or five months, her mother, Kimberly Ion, said.
Jolene Ion holds the 20,000th book sent from the United Way of Venango County as part of the Imagination Library program. (Submitted photo)
“It’s pretty neat for her since it’s the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and her name is Jolene,” Kimberly said.
Kimberly Ion also has two sons who utilized the program, but they have since aged out. She said both boys, Will and Waylon, continue to read daily if they can.
“Our oldest (child), Will, reads by himself,” Kimberly said. “So he also tries to read to the younger two.”
Kimberly said Will reads a bit of everything and that all her children have “a ton of books that they’ve accumulated.”
Kimberly said the family’s enjoyment of the program increased as the children aged because “they started to appreciate the books they were receiving.”
“The boys thought they were receiving the books from Dolly Parton herself,” Kimberly said.
Will Price, the United Way executive director, said the program is designed to do two things – further the education of children and increase parent-child interaction.
“Sometimes it can be easier to give a child a phone,” Price said. “But this brings back parent interaction for 15 minutes a day and gives the child a friend.”
Since the program started in 2014, 469 children have graduated in Venango and Forest counties, while 743 are currently enrolled, Price said.
“We only ask (if a person moves) that they call United Way and give us an updated address,” Price said. “This prevents them from missing a book.”
Funding has been a sometimes bump in the road for the program.
“Each book we send out is age-appropriate for the child who will be receiving it,” Price said.
The first book each child receives is “The Little Engine That Could” while the last book they receive is “I Am Ready For Kindergarten,” Price said.
Most recently, Jolene Ion received “Baby’s First Words,” but Kimberly said “it’s good for all of them.”
“They usually all pick out a book before bedtime that we (Kimberly and husband Kenny) read to them,” Kimberly said.
“She (Jolene) likes to hold the books and chew on them,” Kimberly said.
More information about the program is available by calling the United Way at (814) 676-6545.
