KINGMAN – Soroptimist International of Kingman and Kingman Elks Lodge 468 teamed up on November 24 to kick off the Dolly Parton Imagination Library book program in Kingman. The program is headed locally by Kingman Elks Lodge chair and trustee Nan Chrimes, Soroptimist president Kathy Hopper, and Soroptimist co-chair Colleen Kirby.
Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five, in participating communities throughout the U.S. Kingman Elks Lodge 468 was the venue for families with children up to five years old to participate in this free book-a-month program.
At enrollment in Imagination Library each child receive a free book in their age group and one each month for parents to read to them. This encourages parents to get involved with reading to their children and the children, in turn, will be more involved when they start school.
Some 30 adults took turns reading to the children including community members and volunteers from Kingman Area Literacy Program (KALP), MAGNET, Kingman City Council, the Club of Youth, and Kingman Fire Department. Mrs. Claus, played by Shay Givens, was on hand at the Elks Lodge for visits and to tell all after they heard a story at reading tables set up by age group. Snacks and juice drinks were provided by the Elks Lodge and McKee Foods.
Locally, the program is in need of sponsors. The Elks Lodge 468 has received a “Spotlight Grant” for $2,000, which covers books for 80 children. “We need more sponsors at $25 per child, which covers books for one year,” said Chrimes. “We have over 100 now enrolled and expect this number to grow here in Kingman.”
Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) is also promoting this program through Head Start. “Our goal is to have 100 children enrolled by the December school break,” said WACOG center manager Kathy Roddy. “The goal is to make children Kindergarten ready.”
Enrollment can be completed online with one application for every two children. Go to www.imaginationlibrary.com, follow the prompts to the ‘Register my child.’ A window will appear requesting your zip code. Contact information will be provided for the area coordinators
