COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library for El Paso and Teller Counties needs a new administrator or else the program is coming to an end.<\/p>\n
For more than a decade, Pikes Peak United Way has run the program.<\/p>\n
Kids who are enrolled receive a free book in the mail once a month.<\/p>\n
Together, El Paso and Teller counties have more than 9,000 kids signed up.<\/p>\n
Marah Denton was sad to hear her kids may stop receiving books.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just had my second child,\u201d said Denton.<\/p>\n
The mother signed her three-year-old daughter up the second she was born.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer language is incredible for being three because we\u2019ve gotten books from an early age,\u201d Denton continued. \u201cIt\u2019s to the point where she sleeps with her books.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denton did the same for her two-month-old son who just received his first book.<\/p>\n
Under the program kids can get monthly books for the first five years of their life.<\/p>\n
That may be cut short for the Denton family though.<\/p>\n
Unless a person or group steps up to take over the program, it will be wrapping up at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n
Pikes Peak United way announced in early August, before Dolly\u2019s passing, it is parting ways with Imagination Library.<\/p>\n
CEO, Cami Bremer, said the program doesn\u2019t necessarily align with Pikes Peak United Way\u2019s focus of serving those most in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone who wants to be a part of that mailing list is a part of that mailing list,\u201d Bremer continued. \u201cThere\u2019s no way to target and make sure books are getting into the hands who need it most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bremer said her organization does plan to continue to invest in early reading.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to do that in a focused way and that program no longer allows us to do that, but we continue to cheer on Imagination Library and Dolly Parton\u2019s legacy,\u201d said Bremer.<\/p>\n
Denton hopes someone takes it over before it\u2019s too late, saying her kids love their monthly mail surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does truly make an impact on us as a family and being able to get new books and to keep reading books,\u201d said Denton.<\/p>\n
For Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library to continue run, it costs $250,000 a year. <\/p>\n
The state pays for half, and the administrator is responsible for the rest.<\/p>\n
Bremer said conversations are already happening at Pikes Peak United Way to find a new way to support reading for kids. <\/p>\n
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