More than 20 children from the Redcliffe region will receive a new book every month until they turn five thanks to sponsorship from Unitywater.
Unitywater has partnered with the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise to distribute free books under the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative.
Children from birth to the age of five are eligible for the program, which gifts quality, age-appropriate books on a monthly basis.
Country music icon Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 in memory of her father, who could not read. To date, more than 70 million books have been given to children around the world.
Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise has already enrolled 28 local children in the program. Unitywater sponsorship will allow another 23 children to sign up for the monthly literary surprises.
“We are so proud to support this important initiative because of the real difference it can make in terms of improving early childhood literacy,” Unitywater spokesperson Rebecca Marshall said.
“Reading a book to a child is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It gives children such a good head start in life by stimulating their imagination, developing their language and improving their understanding of the world.
“High levels of literacy have been linked to greater self-esteem as well as increased academic and occupational success. We are excited to help local children start off with a solid foundation for success, in both school and life.”
Rotary President Peter Morley thanked Unitywater for the support.
“We would like to enrol every child in Redcliffe in this wonderful program, but the reality is that it does require a financial investment per child,” Mr Morley said.
“We’re grateful for this commitment from Unitywater to expand the program to include more local children.
“We have so far had a pleasing response from parents enrolling their children, and as a result, we only have a limited number of spaces left.”
Parents of children aged up to five in the Redcliffe, Clontarf, Margate and Kippa-Ring area who would like to apply can email Mr Morley at morleygroup@gmail.com or phone him
on 0438 667 539.
More information: https://au.imaginationlibrary.com/
